was very busy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was very busy" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone’s state of being occupied or engaged in activities during a specific time in the past. Example: "Yesterday, I was very busy with meetings and deadlines, so I couldn't respond to your message."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Helena Kennedy was very busy.

The Guardian - Books

Ms. Skermo said: "I was very busy.

The New York Times

"It was very busy," he said.

The Guardian

"For Secretary Day last year, it was very busy.

The New York Times

"He was very busy and difficult to take care of".

The New York Times - Sports

When I arrived, the pediatric emergency room was very busy.

The New York Times - Health

The judge, explained Mr Vernet, was very busy.

The Economist

It was 1991 in Belfast, so it was very busy.

The New York Times

"He was very busy, but I needed a good friend.

The New York Times

It was very busy with barely any staff on hand.

The Guardian - Opinion

The salesman was very busy taking inventory or something.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was very busy" to clearly and directly state that someone or something had a high level of activity or many demands on their time. This phrase is appropriate for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on "very" to intensify the meaning of "busy". Instead, consider stronger synonyms like "swamped", "overwhelmed", or "hectic" if they more accurately reflect the situation. This adds precision and avoids weakening your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was very busy" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a subject. It indicates a state of being actively engaged or occupied with tasks, responsibilities, or activities. Ludwig AI confirms its general acceptability and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

96%

Wiki

3%

Science

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was very busy" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe a state of being occupied or highly active. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread usability across various contexts. While versatile, consider stronger synonyms like "swamped" or "overwhelmed" for added precision and impact. This phrase is particularly common in news and media, reflecting its neutral tone and broad applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was swamped with work

Emphasizes being overwhelmed by the amount of work.

was up to one's ears in work

An idiomatic expression suggesting being deeply immersed in work.

had a lot on one's plate

Uses a metaphorical expression to indicate having many responsibilities or tasks.

was tied up with commitments

Indicates that the person's time was already allocated to various obligations.

was occupied with tasks

A more formal way of saying someone was busy, focusing on specific tasks.

was completely booked

Implies that all of the person's time slots were reserved or assigned.

had a demanding schedule

Highlights the rigorous nature of the person's commitments.

was engrossed in activities

Suggests a state of being completely absorbed in what one was doing.

was actively engaged

Focuses on the person's involvement and participation in activities.

was intensely preoccupied

Highlights the mental focus and absorption in tasks.

FAQs

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

You can use alternatives like "had a lot on one's plate", "was swamped with work", or "was occupied with tasks" depending on the context.

Is "was very busy" too informal for professional writing?

While "was very busy" is acceptable in many professional contexts, consider using more formal alternatives like "had a demanding schedule" or "was tied up with commitments" for a more sophisticated tone.

How to use "was very busy" in a sentence?

You can use "was very busy" to describe a person, place, or time period. For example, "She was very busy preparing for the conference", or "The office was very busy all morning".

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

"Was busy" indicates a general state of being occupied, while "was very busy" implies a higher degree of activity and involvement. The addition of "very" intensifies the level of engagement.