reasonably busy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reasonably busy" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state of being moderately occupied or engaged with tasks or activities. Example: "I can't meet for lunch today because I'm reasonably busy with work commitments."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

In the meantime, it's reasonably busy at Westminster.

The Guardian

Splashlight has been kept reasonably busy so far.

The New York Times

Stacy McGarry, the head teller at the Patchogue branch, said that the bank was reasonably busy last Sunday.

The New York Times

Anyone with a reasonably busy lifestyle probably can't spare the time to indulge in them and wouldn't see the point.

The Guardian - Opinion

I went down to the suburban shopping centre to see how many had heeded the call to vote early, and found it reasonably busy.

The Economist

"On the 4th of November while out running on a reasonably busy street in broad daylight, I was stopped and asked for directions, I obliged and as I showed him on the map on my phone he looked down my top, made a sleazy remark then grabbed my breast.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

The bar had gone from being reasonably, steadily busy to insane – literally, overnight.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Regarding sensitivity to other traffic, we may conclude that both methods cope reasonably well with the busy urban scenario in the Diepenbeek/Hasselt dataset.

EURASIP Journal on Image and Video Processing

The scheduler attempted to balance the number of cases interpreted by each radiologist under each mode as much as was reasonably achievable in a busy clinical practice in which some of the participating radiologists are not present full time in the Breast Imaging Center.

European Radiology

But it was reasonably equipped and it kept us busy.

Science Magazine

(If the restroom is too busy for you to reasonably check it, it is also less likely to be unsafe. Predators like a controlled environment).

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing workload or schedule, use "reasonably busy" to convey a moderate level of activity without implying being overwhelmed. For example: "My schedule is reasonably busy this week, but I can still fit in a meeting."

Common error

Avoid using "reasonably busy" when you intend to communicate extreme busyness. The phrase implies a manageable level of activity, so opt for stronger terms like "extremely busy" or "overloaded" if the situation warrants it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reasonably busy" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It's used to describe a state of being moderately occupied or engaged. As noted by Ludwig AI, it accurately conveys a manageable level of activity, evident in examples describing work schedules or the atmosphere of public places.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "reasonably busy" is a grammatically sound and versatile adjective phrase used to describe a moderate level of activity. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It finds its place across diverse contexts, particularly in news and media, but also in scientific discussions. While its register is generally neutral, it's important to consider the specific context and audience when choosing this phrase. For more formal settings, alternatives like "moderately occupied" might be more suitable. By understanding its nuances and contexts, writers can effectively use "reasonably busy" to convey a sense of manageable busyness without overstatement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Moderately occupied

Replaces "reasonably busy" with a more formal and precise term, focusing on the level of engagement.

Fairly busy

Substitutes "reasonably" with "fairly", offering a slightly less formal tone while retaining the same level of busyness.

Pretty busy

Replaces "reasonably" with "pretty", keeping the same intent but sounding more informal.

Somewhat occupied

Uses "somewhat occupied" instead of "reasonably busy", softening the intensity of the busyness.

Occupied to a degree

More formal replacement, implying a partial level of busyness without being overwhelming.

Slightly busy

Emphasizes a minor level of busyness, indicating a less demanding schedule than "reasonably busy".

Kind of busy

Offers a more casual alternative, suitable for informal contexts where precision is less critical.

Engaged in activities

Focuses on the engagement in activities, suggesting a state of being occupied without specifying the intensity.

With some commitments

Highlights the presence of commitments, indicating a level of busyness due to scheduled obligations.

Not entirely free

Indicates a lack of complete availability, implying a moderate level of busyness or prior engagements.

FAQs

What does "reasonably busy" mean?

The phrase "reasonably busy" means moderately occupied or engaged. It indicates a state of being somewhat busy but not overwhelmed.

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

You can use "reasonably busy" to describe your schedule or a location's activity level. For example: "I am "reasonably busy" today but have some availability tomorrow" or "The restaurant was "reasonably busy" for a Tuesday night".

What are some alternatives to "reasonably busy"?

Alternatives to "reasonably busy" include "moderately occupied", "fairly busy", or "somewhat occupied". These phrases convey a similar meaning of moderate activity.

Is "reasonably busy" formal or informal?

"Reasonably busy" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal alternatives exist for professional settings.