was busy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was busy" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who was occupied or engaged in an activity at a specific time in the past. Example: "I couldn't answer your call because I was busy working on a project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

He was busy.

The New Yorker

Rachel was busy cleaning.

The New Yorker

Because I was busy.

The New Yorker

His radio was busy.

The New York Times

The studio was busy.

The New Yorker

Nandron was busy.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

It's been busy.

The New Yorker

"The F.B.I. is busy".

The New Yorker

"All circuits were busy.

The New Yorker

"Everybody is busy.

The New Yorker

We're busy.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was busy" to politely explain why someone couldn't respond or attend to something. For example, "He was busy with client meetings all day."

Common error

While "was busy" is acceptable, avoid excessive passive voice constructions. Instead of "The project was being kept busy by him", use "He was managing the project actively".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was busy" functions as a verb phrase indicating a state of being occupied or engaged in an activity in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. This is evident in examples like "He was busy working" and "She was busy in Minnesota".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Academia

7%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was busy" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a past state of being occupied. According to Ludwig AI, it is usable in written English and effectively conveys that someone was engaged in an activity, which may have prevented them from attending to something else. Its neutral register and high frequency in news and media sources makes it a versatile phrase for everyday communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was unavailable

Directly states the lack of availability due to other obligations.

was occupied

A more formal synonym indicating engagement in an activity.

was tied up

Suggests being constrained by existing obligations.

had commitments

Focuses on the obligations causing the busyness.

was caught up in

Indicates deep involvement in an activity, making one less accessible.

had engagements

Similar to 'had commitments' but often implies social or formal obligations.

had a full schedule

Highlights the completeness of the person's agenda.

was preoccupied

Emphasizes mental absorption in something, leading to unavailability.

was hard at work

Emphasizes the effort and dedication being put into a task.

was in the middle of

Suggests interruption would be difficult due to ongoing activity.

FAQs

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

You can use "was busy" to indicate that someone was engaged in an activity at a specific time in the past. For example, "She "was busy" preparing for the presentation, so she couldn't answer the phone".

What are some alternatives to saying "was busy"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "was occupied", "was engaged", or "was unavailable".

Is it correct to say "was busy doing" something?

Yes, it is grammatically correct and common to say "was busy doing" something. For example, "He "was busy working" on the report all morning".

What's the difference between "was busy" and "is busy"?

"Was busy" refers to a past state of being occupied, while "is busy" refers to a present state. For example, "She "was busy" yesterday, but she "is busy" again today".