relatively busy

USAGE SUMMARY

"relatively busy" is correct and usable in written English.
You would use it when you want to make a comparison between two levels of something. For example, "I've been having a relatively busy week compared to last week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

So how do you keep busy? A. I don't have an 8-to-5 commitment or job opportunities at this time, but between charity events and business deals, I stay relatively busy.

The New York Times

It's been a relatively busy summer.

Columbia University

The shopping center appeared relatively busy on a weekday earlier this month.

The New York Times

This poster caps off a relatively busy year for the once MIA cartoonist.

The Guardian - Books

But in his first days away, Mr. Bush was relatively busy.

The New York Times

And the apartment was on Union Street, a relatively busy thoroughfare.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

This study illustrates the relationship between interregional surface transportation and the aviation system by estimating the number of travelers who may choose to travel long distances by car to access a relatively busier, larger airport with better service.

University of California, Berkeley

The singer, playing rhythm on the electric guitar, then proceeded to concentrate on these new originals, written and produced in collaboration with L.A.-based musician Danger Mouse, that highlight relatively busier, more urgent rhythms and deeper bass-tones.

Los Angeles Times

"Much like we compute traffic data based on the anonymized aggregated movement of people on the road, we are able to determine relatively how busy a place is," Google says.

TechCrunch

In 2013, in an extraordinary find nearby, researchers discovered eight prehistoric boats, one nearly nine metres long; they were dated to between 1600 and 1000 B.C. Mounting evidence suggests that the area, though watery, was relatively populous and busy.

The New Yorker

But when Mr. Gore formally began his campaign more than a year ago, he seemed more focused on busy, relatively upscale suburban parents who were snagged in traffic jams and could say good night to their children only by cell phone.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "relatively busy" to express a moderate level of activity, suitable when something is more active than expected but not excessively so.

Common error

Avoid using "relatively busy" without a clear point of reference. Saying "The office is relatively busy" is vague; specify what it's busier than (e.g., "relatively busy compared to last year").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "relatively busy" functions as an adjectival modifier, describing the degree of activity or engagement of a noun. Ludwig examples show it modifying nouns like "summer", "year", "street", and "area", indicating that something is more active or occupied than usual. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Academia

20%

Science

16%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

4%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "relatively busy" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe a moderate level of activity compared to a standard or expectation. Ludwig's analysis and examples confirm its correctness and versatility across various contexts, including news, academia, and general conversation. The phrase functions as an adjectival modifier, conveying that something is more active than usual but not excessively so. While widely accepted, writers should ensure they provide a clear point of reference for the comparison. As Ludwig AI confirms, "relatively busy" is a valuable tool for expressing nuanced levels of activity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

moderately occupied

Focuses on the state of being occupied rather than the level of activity.

somewhat engaged

Highlights engagement level, suggesting a noticeable but not overwhelming involvement.

fairly active

Emphasizes activity level, implying a reasonable amount of action.

reasonably hectic

Emphasizes the chaotic nature of the business, implying a noticeable but not overwhelming rush.

comparatively tied up

Focuses on being bound or restricted by commitments, indicating a degree of business.

passably eventful

Highlights the occurrence of events, suggesting a degree of activity through happenings.

noticeably engaged

Emphasizes the clear presence of engagement, indicating a distinct level of activity.

slightly overwhelmed

Focuses on the feeling of being burdened by activity, suggesting a potential negative connotation.

kind of hectic

Uses a more informal tone to suggest a rushed or chaotic state.

measurably active

Implies activity that can be quantified or observed, suggesting a distinct level of busyness.

FAQs

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

You can use "relatively busy" to describe something that is busier than usual or expected, such as, "The restaurant was "relatively busy" for a Monday night."

What is an alternative to "relatively busy"?

Alternatives include "moderately occupied", "somewhat engaged", or "fairly active", depending on the context.

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

Yes, "quite busy" can be used in place of "relatively busy", but "quite busy" implies a higher degree of activity than "relatively busy". "Quite" suggests more emphasis than "relatively".

What does "relatively busy" imply?

The phrase implies that something is busier than it typically is or busier compared to something else. For instance, "The library is "relatively busy" today" means it's busier than normal for that particular day.