Were you busy in these days? vs Have you been busy lately?

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Were you busy in these days?' is asking about a specific period in the past, while 'Have you been busy lately?' is asking about the recent past up to the present. They are not directly comparable as they serve different purposes.

Last updated: April 05, 2024 • 3148 views

This phrase is correct but not commonly used in English. It is asking about a specific period in the past.

"Were you busy in these days?"

This phrase is used to inquire about someone's busyness during a particular time frame in the past. It is not as common as other similar phrases.

Show examples from the web [+]

Were you busy in these days?
You were busy in a double trauma.
You were busy in there arranging that other little touch of yours.
You were busy in there arranging that other little touch of yours.
You know, Perry, since Dr. Dorian was on time and you were busy in the break room coming up with that hilarious "better-worse" bit, maybe you should answer to him all day.
While you were busy minoring in gender studies and singing a capella at Sarah Lawrence, I was gaining root access to NSA servers.
because you were busy snorkeling in the great barrier reef?
While you were busy minoring in gender studies and singing a capella at Sarah Lawrence, I was gaining root access to NSA servers.
Verity said you were busy putting it in order.
In 2001, while you were busy getting rich in New York City, I was in Takhar Province, Afghanistan.
Here I was - while you people were busy working in Minnesota - stranded in East Berlin with some time on my hands.
Always something to keep you busy in New York, I expect.
And there is plenty to keep you busy in Las Palmas.
The important thing is to combine the ways, use whatever keep you busy in the new language.
Were you busy rescuing more supermodels?
Were you busy rescuing more supermodels?
Always something to keep you busy in New York,
Aren't you busy in the city?
And if you're worried about having something else to do while waiting for the $250K Guaranteed, don't be because there are lots of other tournaments to keep you busy in the meantime.
Set among the idyllic patchwork streets of Aix-en-Provence, there are plenty of shops and cafés to keep you busy in the breaks between recitals.
To keep you busy in [...]

Alternatives:

Were you busy during those days?
Were you busy at that time?
Were you busy last week?
Were you busy yesterday?
Were you busy during that period?

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English. It inquires about someone's busyness from the recent past up to the present.

"Have you been busy lately?"

This phrase is commonly used to ask if someone has been busy in the recent past leading up to the present moment. It implies a continuous state of busyness.

Show examples from the web [+]

Have you been busy lately?
Have you been busy today, Father?
So... have you been busy?
SIMON: So... have you been busy?
Have you been busy lately?
Have you been busy lately?
Have you been busy lately?
And have you been busy?
So, have you been busy?
My, you have been busy.
So, what have you been so busy with?
You have been busy at the park.
This season you have been busy again with the colors in SF Olympiacos taking part in the first three appointments.
I hope you have been busy making yourself and others happy, that is my wish for this New Year.
Looks like you guys have been busy.
Looks like you guys have been busy.
You must have been busy lately.
You must have been busy enough upstairs.
Look, Alvin, I know you guys have been busy with your sporting endeavors and whatnot, but I can really use your help at home.
Looks like you guys have been busy.
Valda- you two have been busy little bees.

Alternatives:

Have you been busy recently?
Have you been occupied lately?
Have you been swamped lately?
Have you been tied up recently?
Have you been preoccupied lately?

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Were you busy in these days? vs Have you been busy lately?