Meaning & use
I am busy
Last updated
UK/aɪ æm ˈbɪzi/
US/aɪ æm ˈbɪzi/
Meaning
phrasefixed phrase
a polite way to say that you have a lot to do and no free time at the moment.
Grammar: Used as a complete sentence. You can add 'right now' or 'at the moment' for clarity.
Patterns
- I am busy with something
- I am busy doing something
- I am busy right now
I am busy with homework, so I can't talk now.
She called, but I was busy cooking dinner.
I am busy this morning, but I'm free after lunch.
Common combinations
- busy with
- I am busy with a project all week.
- busy doing
- He is busy cleaning the kitchen.
- too busy to
- I am too busy to meet today.
- busy schedule
- She has a busy schedule this month.
Synonyms and how they differ
- occupied
- More formal; often used about a seat or a phone line, or politely about a person.
- tied up
- Informal; means busy with something so you cannot do anything else.
- swamped
- Stronger and informal; means you have far too much to do.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: I am busy or I am tired?
I am busy vs I am tired
Tired means you need rest; busy means you have a lot to do. You can be busy but not tired, or tired but not busy.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'I am busy' correctly?
Choose one answer.
After 'busy' you use the -ing form: busy cooking. 'Busy to cook' and 'busy for cook' are not correct patterns.
Make it your own
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