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i have been busy vs i had been busy

Both options are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'I have been busy' is used to talk about a recent period of busyness that may still be ongoing, while 'I had been busy' is used to refer to a past period of busyness that occurred before something else.

Explained by Vince
Editor at TextRanch

Last updated: October 06, 2024 • 14982 views

i have been busy

This phrase is correct and commonly used to talk about a recent period of busyness.

This phrase is used to indicate that you have been busy recently and may still be busy. It implies a connection between the past and the present.

Examples:

I have been busy preparing for the exam.
She has been busy working on her project all week.

Show examples from the web [+]

I have been busy, trying to get patients.
I have been busy for two days.
I have been busy, trying to get patients.
You and I have been busy doing other things besides discussing the past.
I have been busy about building up our family name I want everyone here in Tientsin to know and respect our power
I have not been busy for two days.
Not that I haven't been busy, too.
I have been very busy delivering babies to put food on our plates.
Sir, I have been very busy in your absence.
I have been so busy with the store.
I have been quite busy with this awful war.
- I see you have been busy yourself.
That is not true. I have been really busy with other stuff.
I have been so busy I didn't ring you back.
Judge, I'm sorry for boxes and the paintings and things, but I have been too busy to completely settle in here.
I have been so busy making changes to the tour, I totally forgot.
Yes, I have been rather busy, actually, with one thing and another.
I mean, you know that I have been so busy focusing on my career...
Madam President, with that long list you make it sound as though I have been extremely busy.
I have been so busy I didn't ring you back.

Alternatives:

I am busy
I have been occupied

i had been busy

This phrase is correct and commonly used to refer to a past period of busyness that is no longer relevant.

This phrase is used to talk about a past period of busyness that has ended or is no longer important. It is often used in the context of explaining a situation or setting the background for something else.

Examples:

I had been busy all morning, so I couldn't answer your call.
She had been busy with her studies before she decided to take a break.

Show examples from the web [+]

It seems to me that I had been busy.
I had been so busy dwelling in my own self-Pity I had forgotten what i actually accomplished.
I had been a bit busy, you know, before, like.
I had been a bit busy, you know, before, like.
Donovan and his friends have been busy.
I've been busy all week...
Someone's been busy this morning.
I've been busy, busy, busy.
I've been busy, she's been busy.
Your mom's already been busy with all these lists of guests, locations, color palettes...
It appears you've been busy.
The line's been busy all day.
And I've been busy, too, frankly.
It's not that I've been busy...
Master Lung, I've been busy.
Damon and his partner have been busy boys.
Sorry, I've been busy with pledge stuff.
While your platoon has been busy shooting civilians at roadblocks
I've been busy since the wedding date was set.
It's just with the play, I've been busy.

Alternatives:

I was busy
I had been occupied

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