quite busy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "quite busy" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It means to be very busy or occupied with tasks or responsibilities. Example: Despite the rain, the city streets were quite busy with bustling crowds of people rushing to their destinations.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Magic's business ventures have kept him quite busy since his playing career ended.

Forbes

The bar gets quite busy.

The New York Times

Both are quite busy.

The New York Times - Arts

Christmas Day has been quite busy already.

Independent

"Everyone's quite busy doing their work.

The New York Times

The film is visually quite busy.

The New York Times

My Sunday evenings are really quite busy.

The New York Times

The roads tend to be quite busy.

Independent

"I hear she's quite busy," Cohen quips.

The Guardian

All in all, I've been quite busy.

The New Yorker

Instead, because "I'm quite busy, I've never had the time".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "quite busy" to describe a situation where someone or something is moderately to highly occupied, but avoid overusing it if more specific descriptors are appropriate.

Common error

While "quite busy" is acceptable in many contexts, avoid relying on it excessively in formal writing. Instead, use more precise alternatives like "heavily engaged", "actively involved", or "fully booked" to provide a clearer and more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "quite busy" is to act as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun or pronoun. It indicates the degree to which someone or something is occupied or engaged. As Ludwig indicates, this is a common and grammatically correct construction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

21%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

7%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "quite busy" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to describe a moderate to high level of activity or engagement. As confirmed by Ludwig, it functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying nouns or pronouns to indicate the degree of occupation. While versatile, it's important to consider context and opt for more precise alternatives in formal settings. Ludwig's examples show that the expression is mostly found in "News & Media" and "Science" but its understanding and the ability to use the term correctly is important in all contexts, from social media to a professional report.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

very occupied

Indicates a high degree of engagement, similar to "quite busy" but emphasizes the state of being occupied.

extremely engaged

Similar to "quite busy", but it puts more emphasis on commitment and involvement.

heavily involved

Emphasizes active participation and commitment to something.

up to one's ears

An informal idiom suggesting being overwhelmed with tasks.

swamped with work

Implies being overwhelmed by a large amount of work.

with a lot on one's plate

Similar to "quite busy", this suggests having numerous responsibilities.

fully booked

Indicates that one's schedule is completely filled.

actively working

Highlights the active involvement in tasks, similar to being "quite busy".

tied up

Suggests being committed and unable to take on more tasks.

having many commitments

Emphasizes obligations and responsibilities, reflecting a state of being "quite busy".

FAQs

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

You can use "quite busy" to indicate that someone or something has a moderate to high level of activity or engagement. For example, "The office was "quite busy" this morning," or "She's "quite busy" with her new project."

What are some alternatives to saying "quite busy"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "very occupied", "extremely engaged", or "swamped with work". The best choice will depend on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "rather busy" instead of "quite busy"?

Yes, "rather busy" is a perfectly acceptable alternative to "quite busy". Both phrases convey a similar meaning of being moderately to highly occupied.

What is the difference between "quite busy" and "completely busy"?

"Quite busy" suggests a moderate to high level of activity, while "completely busy" implies that one's time is fully occupied and there is no availability for additional tasks or commitments.