were busy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were busy" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state of being occupied or engaged in activities during a specific time in the past. Example: "Yesterday, we were busy preparing for the upcoming event and didn't have time to relax."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Businesses were busy.

The New Yorker

They were busy elsewhere.

The New York Times

"All circuits were busy.

The New Yorker

Her days were busy.

The New Yorker

We were busy.

The Guardian

Restaurants were busy, beaches packed.

The New York Times - Magazine

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

"Everybody is busy.

The New Yorker

We're busy.

The New York Times

It's busy, too.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were busy" to clearly indicate that individuals or entities were actively engaged in tasks or activities during a specific period in the past.

Common error

Avoid using "were busy" to describe a current state. Use "are busy" instead to refer to the present.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were busy" functions as a past tense verb phrase, indicating that someone or something was engaged in an activity or occupied at a specific time in the past. Ludwig confirms its correct usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were busy" is a grammatically sound and very common verb phrase used to describe a past state of being occupied. According to Ludwig, it's deemed correct and usable in written English. Predominantly found in News & Media, the phrase serves to communicate past engagement in activities, fitting seamlessly into neutral registers. To enhance writing, consider using synonyms like "were occupied" or "were engaged" for a more formal tone. A common mistake to avoid is using "were busy" to describe a current state, where "are busy" would be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were occupied

Replaces "busy" with a more formal synonym, focusing on the state of being engaged.

were engaged

Similar to "were occupied", emphasizing involvement in an activity.

were tied up

Suggests being committed or unable to attend to other matters.

had their hands full

Idiomatic expression indicating a large amount of work or responsibility.

were hard at work

Highlights the effort and diligence involved in the activity.

were working diligently

Emphasizes dedicated and focused effort.

were actively involved

Highlights the active participation and engagement in specific tasks.

were swamped

Implies being overwhelmed with tasks or responsibilities.

were in the middle of something

Indicates being interrupted would be difficult.

were up to their necks

An informal expression for being very busy.

FAQs

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

You can use "were busy" to describe a state of being occupied in the past. For example, "They "were busy preparing" for the conference all week".

What's the difference between "were busy" and "are busy"?

"Were busy" refers to a past state of being occupied, while "are busy" refers to the present. "They "are busy now"" indicates current activity.

What can I say instead of "were busy"?

You can use alternatives like "were occupied", "were engaged", or "had their hands full" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "was busy" instead of "were busy"?

No, "was busy" is used for singular subjects, while "were busy" is used for plural subjects or with the pronoun "you". For example, "I was busy", but "They were busy".