she was busy

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence "She was busy" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone's current or recent activities. For example: "She was busy studying all morning, so she couldn't come to the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

She was busy in Minnesota.

The New York Times

"She was busy flying".

The New York Times

I figured she was busy.

The Washington Post

She was busy, she was wrapping the third season.

The New Yorker

Bean burritos?" She was busy at the stove.

The New Yorker

She was busy but invited him back the next night.

The New Yorker

She was busy, young and not looking for a boyfriend.

The New York Times

She was busy making "Gone With the Wind".

The New York Times

(I took a trip; she was busy with work).

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

It was harder for her because she was busier.

The New York Times

She was busy--she was painting on the wall for her club.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "she was busy" to politely explain someone's unavailability or lack of response. It implies respect for their time and commitments.

Common error

Avoid using "she was busy" repeatedly in a short span, as it can sound dismissive or create a perception of unreliability. Vary your language to provide a more nuanced explanation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "she was busy" functions as a statement indicating a woman's state of being occupied. It is a common way to provide an explanation for a lack of availability or responsiveness. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Formal & Business

9%

Science

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "she was busy" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe a woman's state of being occupied. According to Ludwig, it is correct and usable in written English. It functions primarily to explain unavailability or lack of response, and is suitable for neutral contexts such as news, media, and general conversation. While widely accepted, it's advisable to provide context and avoid overuse to maintain clarity and avoid sounding dismissive. Alternatives like "she was occupied" or "she had a lot on her plate" can provide nuanced variations. The phrase appears most often in News & Media.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

she was occupied

Replaces "busy" with a more formal synonym, "occupied".

she was engaged

Suggests she was actively involved in something.

she was tied up

Implies she was unavailable due to commitments.

she was preoccupied

Indicates her mind was focused elsewhere.

she was unavailable

States she could not be reached or was not free.

she had a lot on her plate

Uses an idiom to suggest she had many responsibilities.

she was actively involved

Emphasizes her participation in an activity.

she was immersed in

Suggests deep involvement in an activity.

she had pressing matters

Implies urgent tasks demanded her attention.

she was working

More directly states she was performing work.

FAQs

What does "she was busy" mean?

The phrase "she was busy" means that a female person was occupied with tasks or activities, and therefore not available or unable to engage in other things.

How can I use "she was busy" in a sentence?

You can use "she was busy" to explain why someone didn't respond or participate. For example, "I didn't call her because I knew "she was busy" with work."

What can I say instead of "she was busy"?

You can use alternatives like "she was occupied", "she had a lot on her plate", or "she was tied up" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "she was busy" in professional communication?

Yes, "she was busy" is generally acceptable in professional communication to explain someone's unavailability, but it's best to provide a bit more context if possible to maintain clarity and professionalism.