I have been busy. vs I'm busy.

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in slightly different contexts. 'I have been busy' implies that the person has been busy for a period of time leading up to the present moment. 'I'm busy' simply states that the person is currently busy.

Last updated: April 01, 2024 • 144 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used to indicate that the person has been busy for a period of time leading up to the present moment.

"I have been busy."

This phrase is used to convey that the person has been busy recently or over a specific period. It emphasizes the duration of the busyness.

Examples:

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

Show examples from the web [+]

I have been busy.
~ I have been busy.
I have been busy for two days.
Emily, I... have been busy.
Not that I haven't been busy, too.
I have been so... busy.
Evidence that I have been very busy, Inspector.
Sorry for the delay response: I have been very busy this December.
I guess what I was trying to say, without bragging, is I'm usually top of the class, but as a wrestlerette Captain, I have been crazy busy.
And it's not that I don't appreciate it. It's just that I have been so busy with work.
I have been busy, trying to get patients.
You and I have been busy doing other things besides discussing the past.
Master Wells and I have been busy assembling the necessaries to battle the djinn.
I have been busy, trying to get patients.
Damon and his partner have been busy boys.
Your boys have been busy tonight.
Looks like you guys have been busy.
In almost every Senate office in Washington, the phones have been busy all week.
Since then, we have been busy carrying forward the preparations for Stage Three.
Looks like you guys have been busy.

Alternatives:

I have been occupied.
I have been swamped.
I have been tied up.
I have been engaged in various tasks.

This phrase is correct and commonly used to indicate that the person is currently busy.

"I'm busy."

This phrase is used to convey that the person is busy at the moment. It does not specify the duration of the busyness.

Examples:

I'm busy right now, can I call you back later?
Sorry, I can't talk right now, I'm busy.

Show examples from the web [+]

Just a minute, I'm busy.
Thanks, but I'm busy.
As you can see, I'm busy.
Later, Sergeant Hawkins. I'm busy.
But I told you I'm busy.
Say it quickly, I'm busy.
But not now because I'm busy.
Sorry, Mom. I'm busy.
Unless you're a locksmith or an electrician with political contacts, I'm busy.
Agent Laroche, this is a crime scene. I'm busy.
Not now, Dimitry, I'm busy.
If it's about Mike, I'm busy.
Like I said, I'm busy.
Go away. I'm busy.
But I won't 'cause I'm busy.
I realized that he couldn't because I'm busy.
My son, I'm busy.
So please, I'm busy.
Not now, Grady, I'm busy.
Not now Baby, I'm busy.

Alternatives:

I'm occupied.
I'm tied up.
I'm swamped.
I'm engaged in something.

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