we were extremely busy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were extremely busy" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where a person or group had a lot of tasks or responsibilities to manage at a particular time. Example: "During the holiday season, we were extremely busy with customer orders and inquiries."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The NNUH chief executive, Anna Dugdale, said: "We were extremely busy over the weekend.

The Guardian

We were extremely busy to get this whole thing organized and get officially ready to work and move forward towards the Mexico game.

The New York Times

He broke down as he remembered the battle against the elements: "It was extremely hot, we were extremely busy, too busy, and we didn't have enough resources - be that manpower, be that equipment - to do what we were asked to do".

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Scicluna will unveil capital-strengthening plans next month: "We are extremely busy reviewing the situation".

Independent

She says: "We specialise in scented flowers and herbs for our weddings and we are extremely busy all year round.

The Guardian

"We're extremely busy people, and we aren't home a lot, so if I was going to spend time at the track, I want a bunch of friends there with me," he said.

The New York Times

Since Mexico is not one of our target markets commercially, it's a relatively quiet event for us in terms of guest attendance and promotional activities, but this didn't mean we had time to relax, because with Brands Hatch just round the corner, we are extremely busy with the build-up to the season finale.

The Guardian - Sport

Anna Dugdale, NNUH chief executive, said: "We're extremely busy at the moment.

BBC

But, in general, "we are extremely busy dealing with violent drug dealers and drugs such as cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and fentanyl.

Vice

In the end, the META pavilion never happened online as we all were extremely busy just doing the everyday work for the biennial, so I kept the idea and the name and the concept and made it happen when the right moment came.

Vice

We found that although hospital staff was generally helpful, they were extremely busy.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "we were extremely busy", consider adding context to explain the reason for the high workload. This provides a clearer understanding of the situation.

Common error

Avoid consistently relying on intensifiers like "extremely". While "we were extremely busy" is acceptable, overuse can dilute the impact of your writing. Consider using stronger verbs or more descriptive language to convey the intensity of the workload.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were extremely busy" functions as a descriptive statement. It uses the past tense of the verb 'to be' combined with an adverb and an adjective to describe a state of being occupied with numerous tasks or activities. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "we were extremely busy" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to describe a situation where a group had many tasks or responsibilities. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriateness. While not overly formal, it's suitable for a range of contexts, particularly in news and media. Consider providing additional context to explain the reasons behind the busyness and avoiding overuse of intensifiers for stronger writing. Alternatives include "we were very occupied" and "we were swamped".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were very occupied

This alternative replaces "extremely busy" with a more formal term, "very occupied", maintaining the meaning with a slight shift in tone.

we were swamped

This phrase uses a metaphorical term to convey being overwhelmed with work, implying a more intense level of busyness.

we had a lot on our plate

This idiom suggests having many responsibilities or tasks to handle, indicating a state of being busy.

we were snowed under

This idiom is similar to "swamped" but perhaps conveys a slightly less negative connotation.

we were up to our ears in work

This idiom emphasizes being deeply involved in work, indicating extreme busyness.

we were working around the clock

This phrase indicates continuous work, implying extreme busyness and dedication.

we were fully engaged

This alternative focuses on the level of engagement rather than the quantity of tasks, but it suggests high activity.

we were operating at full capacity

This phrase suggests maximum utilization of resources, implying a very busy state.

we were actively involved

This phrase highlights the level of activity and participation, but may not directly imply busyness.

we were tied up

This phrase suggests being unavailable due to other commitments, indicating a form of busyness.

FAQs

What does "we were extremely busy" mean?

The phrase "we were extremely busy" indicates that a person or a group of people had a lot of tasks, responsibilities, or activities to manage during a specific period, leaving little time for other things.

What can I say instead of "we were extremely busy"?

You can use alternatives like "we were very occupied", "we were swamped", or "we had a lot on our plate", depending on the context and the level of formality you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "we were extremely busy"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The phrase follows standard English grammar rules, using the past tense of the verb "to be" ("were") with the adverb "extremely" modifying the adjective "busy".

What's the difference between "we were busy" and "we were extremely busy"?

The addition of "extremely" intensifies the adjective "busy". "We were busy" simply indicates that the group had tasks to do, while "we were extremely busy" emphasizes a much higher level of activity and a greater demand on their time.