to be occupied

USAGE SUMMARY

"to be occupied" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe a state of being busy or engaged with something. Example: "I will not be available for the next few hours as I will be occupied with an important project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

One is to be occupied this year.

The New York Times

Once homes are built they need to be occupied.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Look, it can't be fun to be occupied," he said.

The New York Times

So we have this space to be occupied".

The Guardian - Sport

The building is to be occupied in late 2008.

The New York Times

But he seemed to be occupied with other things.

The New York Times - Books

The three hours to be occupied in the same manner as on Monday.

The New York Times - Arts

They wanted to have an independent Germany, did not want to be occupied by the Allies".

The New York Times

Outside, every street corner seems to be occupied by a different radio station.

The New York Times

They were said to be "occupied by a race of sub-human creatures..

The New Yorker

He said he believed the building on Macdougal continued to be occupied.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to be occupied" in the context of time, follow it with 'with' to specify the activity occupying the time, for instance, "to be occupied with work".

Common error

Avoid using "to be occupied" when the active voice would be clearer and more direct. For instance, instead of "The room is to be occupied by the guests", consider "The guests will occupy the room".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of the infinitive phrase "to be occupied" is to act as a verb phrase within a sentence. It often appears as part of a passive construction, indicating that a subject will receive the action of being filled or taken over, as shown in Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to be occupied" is a versatile and grammatically sound infinitive phrase used to express a future state of being filled or utilized, as Ludwig AI confirms. Commonly found in news, scientific, and business contexts, it indicates expectations or plans related to spaces, time, or resources. While generally neutral in tone, being mindful of active vs passive voice is key to improve the writing. By avoiding overuse and choosing contextually appropriate synonyms like “"to be filled"” or “"to be utilized"”, one can write with precision and clarity. The abundance of examples shows that it is considered a correct and usable phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be filled

Focuses on the state of being physically or metaphorically full.

to be engaged

Emphasizes involvement or participation in an activity or task.

to be utilized

Highlights the act of being put to use for a specific purpose.

to be inhabited

Specifically refers to a place being lived in or populated.

to be controlled

Implies a state of being under someone's or something's command or influence.

to be taken up

Suggests that something is using or consuming space or time.

to be immersed

Highlights a state of deep involvement or absorption.

to be engrossed

Similar to immersed, but suggests a captivated or fascinated state.

to be commandeered

Implies being seized or taken over, often for military purposes.

to be annexed

Refers to the act of incorporating a territory into another.

FAQs

How can I use "to be occupied" in a sentence?

You can use "to be occupied" to describe something that is in use, filled, or under control. For instance, "The building is expected to be occupied by next year" or "My time will be occupied with meetings all day".

What's the difference between "to be occupied" and "to be engaged"?

"To be occupied" can refer to physical spaces or time being filled or used, while "to be engaged" typically implies active involvement or participation in something.

What can I say instead of "to be occupied" when referring to a building?

Alternatives include "to be inhabited", "to be populated", or "to be used" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "the space is to be occupied by someone"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. This construction uses the passive voice to indicate that someone will use or fill the space. A more direct alternative would be "someone will occupy the space".