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i thought he might be busy. vs i thought he might have been busy.

Both phrases are correct but express different tenses. "I thought he might be busy" is used when talking about a recent or ongoing situation, while "I thought he might have been busy" is used when you are referring to the past. The choice between the two depends on the context.
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Explained by Camille
Editor at TextRanch

Last updated: January 25, 2025 • 7523 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"i thought he might be busy."

This phrase is used when you are talking about a current or ongoing situation. It implies that you had a thought about his busyness at that moment.

Examples:

  • I thought he might be busy, so I didn't want to disturb him.
  • She thought he might be busy with work, so she didn't call him.
  • They thought he might be busy preparing for the meeting.
  • We thought he might be busy studying for his exams.
  • He thought he might be busy running errands.
  • Feb 16, 2017 ... ... I thought he might be busy so I didn't force him to have a word with me." But using "I thought he might have been busy" or "I think he might ...
  • Aug 17, 2024 ... I let him as I thought he might be busy. Late the afternoon, I texted him that he seemed busy (He would text me the same when I wasn't very ...
  • Jay hasn't messaged me so I thought he might be busy... as always. So I decided to message him first. +. "Good morning, Love! Do you have plans for today ...
  • May 6, 2020 ... I thought he might be busy so I'd just brush it off. Until it got to the point where he wouldn't text me for days unless I texted first ...
  • Jul 21, 2021 ... I thought he might be busy or away. Sadly, on Friday people from our community delivered the news and we were all shocked. I will write a ...
  • Sep 18, 2014 ... I thought he might be busy and would call after seeing 2 missed calls. I waited the entire day but there was no reply. I could not make out ...
  • Feb 10, 2022 ... ... I thought he might be busy. So when he offered to work with me on it I jumped at the chance. Neil Fox: I saw Ryan was looking for a writer ...
  • Jun 8, 2018 ... ... I thought he might be busy but after taking to the students it seems that he's always like this. He never seems to have time and I need to ...
  • Jul 16, 2017 ... I thought he might be busy and would call after seeing 2 missed calls. I waited the entire day but there was no reply. I could not make out ...
  • Oct 8, 2024 ... “I tried calling him at least 12 times,” Harris said, speaking to reporters in D.C. “At first, I thought he might be busy, but after the 7th ...

Alternatives:

  • I thought he could be busy.
  • I thought he may be busy.
  • I thought he might have something to do.
  • I thought he might not be available.
  • I thought he might have plans.

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"i thought he might have been busy."

This phrase is used when you are referring to a past situation. It implies that you had a thought about his busyness at a specific point in the past.

Examples:

  • I thought he might have been busy yesterday, that's why he didn't answer the phone.
  • She thought he might have been busy with his family last weekend.
  • They thought he might have been busy working on the project.
  • We thought he might have been busy traveling.
  • He thought he might have been busy attending a conference.
  • Feb 16, 2017 ... " But using "I thought he might have been busy" or "I think he might be busy" would be wrong here am I correct? Can I say I think he was ...
  • Nov 9, 2024 ... “By 8 pm he was still out so when I called but the phone was not picked, so I thought he might have been busy or out with friends. I called ...
  • ... I thought he might have been busy. I called Thomas on Monday and this time he didn't answer, so I left a message asking him about the estimate. I never ...

Alternatives:

  • I thought he could have been busy.
  • I thought he may have been busy.
  • I thought he might have had something to do.
  • I thought he might not have been available.
  • I thought he might have had plans.

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