we were busy

USAGE SUMMARY

"We were busy" is a correct and usable sentence in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that you were doing in the past that took up most of your time. Example sentence: "We were busy studying for our exams, so we didn't get to hang out as much as usual."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

We were in London where my father had business and we were busy.

The Guardian - Opinion

We were busy doing other work".

The New York Times

We were busy enjoying life so much.

Independent

We were busy in our separate realms.

The New Yorker

We were busy at the show, which lasted four days.

The New York Times

It's lunchtime, you see…" But your website… "Yeah, but we were busy last night.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Ms. Kringel added, "But we were busy doing our own thing".

The New York Times - Style

She recalls: "We were busy when the police came - it was embarrassing.

The Guardian

As we were busy tasting, a Waitrose lorry turned up to collect its order.

The Guardian - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

"We weren't scared because we were busy writing this satire," she said.

Huffington Post

We were busy.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we were busy", be specific about what occupied your time to provide context and clarity. For example, "We were busy preparing for the conference, so we couldn't attend the networking event."

Common error

Avoid using "we were busy" as a vague excuse without providing details. Instead of saying "We were busy, so we didn't get to it", try "We were busy finalizing the report, so we didn't have time to review the proposal."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were busy" functions as a statement of activity or explanation, indicating that the speakers were engaged in some task or occupation during a specific time. Ludwig examples show its usage across varied situations to justify actions or inactions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Formal & Business

23%

Science

21%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we were busy" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to convey that a group was occupied with tasks or activities. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples across diverse sources, particularly in news and media. While generally neutral in register, it's crucial to provide context to avoid vagueness or dismissiveness. Alternatives such as "we had our hands full" or "we were occupied" might be more suitable in formal settings. The frequency of its appearance in authoritative sources underscores its widespread acceptance and utility in everyday communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we had our hands full

This implies being extremely busy, often with many tasks at once.

we were occupied

This is a more formal way of saying "we were busy".

we were engaged

Similar to "occupied", but can also imply being involved in something.

we were tied up

This suggests being busy to the point of being unable to do other things.

we were working

A general statement that indicates activity without specifying busyness.

we were preoccupied

Implies that thoughts were occupied, often leading to being busy.

we were in the middle of something

Indicates being interrupted while busy.

we were deep in it

Suggests intense involvement in a task or activity.

we were immersed

Implies a complete focus on a particular activity.

we were on the go

This means that you were consistently busy and active.

FAQs

How can I use "we were busy" in a sentence?

You can use "we were busy" to explain why you didn't do something, or to describe a period when you had a lot to do. For example: "We were busy preparing for the presentation all week." or "Sorry for the late reply, "we were busy" moving offices."

What are some alternatives to saying "we were busy"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "we had our hands full", "we were occupied", or "we were tied up". Each carries a slightly different nuance.

Is it too informal to use "we were busy" in professional communication?

While generally acceptable, in very formal contexts, consider more professional alternatives like "we were occupied" or "we were engaged". However, "we were busy" is suitable for most workplace communications.

When is it inappropriate to use "we were busy"?

Avoid using "we were busy" as a dismissive excuse or without providing context. If you can't elaborate, it might be better to offer a more specific explanation or apologize without excuses. For example, instead of just saying ""we were busy"", say "We were busy meeting project deadlines, but we'll address this issue promptly."