they were occupied

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were occupied" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone was busy or engaged in an activity at a particular time. Example: "When I called them, they were occupied with a meeting and couldn't answer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

They were occupied by soldiers and busloads of Sinhalese tourists.

The New Yorker

"It's been 50 years since they were occupied," Dr. Leatherman said.

The New York Times

The other two apartments were not rent-regulated, but they were occupied.

The New York Times

(Most of the properties would not have been sold individually because they were occupied by renters).

The New York Times

"Want to come with me?" Chrissie gestured vaguely at China and Jay moving among the goats, meaning they were occupied.

The New Yorker

They were occupied by the English in 1778 and again in 1793, but in 1816 they were returned to France.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

"This reminds everyone who was occupying exactly why they were occupying," Mr. Barchus said.

The New York Times

This reminds everyone who was occupying exactly why they were occupying".

The New York Times

"This," he said, referring to the early morning sweep, "reminds everyone who was occupying exactly why they were occupying".

The New York Times

We were talking in the New York hotel suite they were occupying while Ozzy was playing shows on the east coast.

The Guardian - Music

They seemed to forget they were occupying an Arab country with a long history of anti-western resistance.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing historical events, use "they were occupied" to clearly indicate a period of control by a foreign power.

Common error

Avoid using "occupied" when you mean "preoccupied". "Occupied" refers to physical possession or control, while "preoccupied" refers to being mentally absorbed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were occupied" typically functions as the passive voice of a verb. It describes a state where a subject (they) is acted upon, indicating that they were in a state of being possessed, controlled, or busy. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

18%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "they were occupied" is a grammatically correct and versatile expression that functions as a passive voice construction. It commonly indicates that a subject was either physically possessed or controlled, or actively engaged in some task. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is primarily used in News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Science contexts. When writing, it's crucial to differentiate "occupied" from "preoccupied" to avoid confusion. Related phrases include "they were busy" and "they were inhabited", offering alternative ways to express similar concepts depending on the desired nuance. "They were occupied" enjoys widespread usage and is understood across diverse settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were busy

This alternative focuses on the state of being engaged or actively doing something, similar to being occupied with a task.

they were inhabited

This alternative focuses on the state of a place being lived in or populated.

they were controlled

This alternative focuses on the aspect of being under someone else's authority or dominion.

they were under siege

This alternative suggests that the location or people were surrounded and under attack.

they were engrossed

This alternative suggests complete attention and absorption in an activity.

they were engaged

This alternative highlights active participation or involvement in something.

they were preoccupied

This alternative means their minds were absorbed with thoughts.

they were taken over

This alternative means that someone else had assumed control.

they were garrisoned

This alternative means to provide (a place) with a garrison of troops.

they were commandeered

This alternative means to officially take possession or control of (something), especially for military purposes.

FAQs

How can I use "they were occupied" in a sentence?

You can use "they were occupied" to describe a state of being busy, inhabited, or controlled. For example, "The apartments "they were occupied" by renters", or "They were occupied by foreign powers".

What does "they were occupied" mean?

The phrase "they were occupied" generally means that a place was inhabited or controlled by someone or something. It can also refer to individuals being busy or engaged in activities.

Is "they were occupied" the same as "they were busy"?

While both phrases imply a state of being engaged, "they were occupied" often refers to a place being inhabited or controlled, whereas "they were busy" simply means that someone is engaged in an activity. Although "they were busy" can be a valid replacement.

What's the difference between "they were occupying" and "they were occupied"?

"They were occupying" describes the act of taking possession or controlling something at a particular time, while "they were occupied" describes the state of being inhabited or controlled. The first expresses the action, the second the result of the action: "they were occupied".