often busy

USAGE SUMMARY

"often busy" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a person or place that is habitually occupied with a lot of activity. For example, "The restaurant is often busy, so be sure to make a reservation ahead of time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"He is often busy on important government matters, finishing paperwork and other government business.

The Guardian

Annoyingly, though, the site is often busy.

The Economist

Police officers are often busy, and few relish paperwork.

The New York Times

"They're often busy, working people, with family responsibilities.

The New York Times - Health

Quails or no, the terrace is often busy.

The New York Times

The production is often busy, but that suits Hoffmann's psychological clutter.

The New York Times - Arts

They are often busy and you might have to wait for an appointment.

Independent

"During the featured reading they are often busy revising their poems".

The New York Times

The barbers are expert at crowd control: Michael's is often busy but never feels crammed.

The New York Times - Arts

Its upfront bar is often busy and on weekends generates an almost deafening roar.

The New York Times

Open from 10.30am (not Sundays), it's often busy but somehow there's always somewhere to sit or prop yourself.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing schedules or time slots, specify the activities filling the time when using "often busy". For example, "The mornings are often busy with meetings and client calls".

Common error

Avoid simply stating something is "often busy" without providing context or reason. Explain why or with what it is busy to give the reader a clearer understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "often busy" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying nouns to describe a state of frequent engagement or activity. It indicates that the subject is frequently occupied or has many demands. Ludwig AI confirms this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

25%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "often busy" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adjective phrase to describe the state of being regularly occupied or engaged. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in various contexts. It is most commonly found in news and media and science-related articles. To use it effectively, ensure you provide context to explain why or with what something is busy. Alternative phrases include "usually occupied" or "frequently engaged", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Remember to avoid vagueness and provide context to enhance clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

usually occupied

Replaces "often" with "usually", indicating a slightly more consistent state of being busy.

frequently engaged

Substitutes "busy" with "engaged", focusing on active participation or involvement.

constantly occupied

Emphasizes the continuous nature of being busy, using "constantly" instead of "often".

habitually engaged

Indicates that being busy is a regular habit or pattern.

regularly preoccupied

Replaces "busy" with "preoccupied", suggesting a focus on tasks or concerns.

commonly tied up

Uses the idiom "tied up" to convey being busy or unavailable.

frequently tied up

Similar to commonly tied up, but emphasizing the repetition.

typically occupied

Replaces "often" with "typically", indicating a usual state of being busy.

generally occupied

Substitutes "often" with "generally", conveying a widespread or common busyness.

always busy

Emphasizes the consistent nature of being busy, using "always" instead of "often".

FAQs

How can I use "often busy" in a sentence?

You can use "often busy" to describe someone or something that frequently has a lot of activity or tasks. For example, "The doctor's office is "often busy" in the mornings".

What's a synonym for "often busy"?

Alternatives to "often busy" include "usually occupied", "frequently engaged", or "constantly occupied", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "often busy"?

Yes, "often busy" is grammatically correct. "Often" is an adverb modifying the adjective "busy", indicating frequency.

What is the difference between "often busy" and "always busy"?

"Often busy" indicates that something is frequently but not constantly busy, while "always busy" suggests a state of constant busyness without breaks. So, "often busy" implies a recurring state, whereas "always busy" implies a continuous state.