TextRanch

The best way to perfect your writing.

Discover why 1,062,726 users count on TextRanch to get their English corrected!

1. Input your text below.
2. Get it corrected in a few minutes by our editors.
3. Improve your English!

One of our experts will correct your English.

you look busy vs you seem to be busy

Both phrases are correct and are commonly used in English. They convey a similar meaning: observing someone appearing occupied or engaged in a task. The choice between 'you look busy' and 'you seem to be busy' can depend on personal preference or the level of formality desired in the conversation.

Explained by Miss E.
Editor at TextRanch

Last updated: October 15, 2024 • 14864 views

you look busy

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to convey the observation that someone appears busy or occupied.

This phrase is used to comment on someone's appearance of being busy without implying a judgment. It is a casual and straightforward way to acknowledge someone's busyness.

Examples:

You look busy with all those papers on your desk.
She looks busy preparing for the meeting.
From the way you look, you seem busy today.

Show examples from the web [+]

Well, you look busy, so... I'll leave you to it.
You look busy, so we'll just get out of your hair, so to speak.
But let's not, because you look busy.
I'll call you later, you look busy.
Sure, you look busy.
I was all too versed in the rules of Ehlert survival... hide the sprinkled doughnuts in your purse for later, shuffle papers so you look busy, and know that the first thing out of Ehlert's mouth when he see you will always be an insult.

Alternatives:

You appear busy.
You seem busy.
You're looking busy.
You're appearing busy.

you seem to be busy

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to suggest that someone appears to be busy or engaged in a task.

This phrase is slightly more formal than 'you look busy' and may imply a bit more uncertainty in the observation. It can be used in situations where a more polite or cautious tone is desired.

Examples:

You seem to be busy with your work.
She seems to be busy with her phone calls.
You seem to be busy, can I come back later?

Show examples from the web [+]

You seem to be busy.
You seem to be pretty busy on the Internet and on social networks.
You seem to be a busy man, but you managed to take the floor in the last minute.
President, Writer Lee seems to be busy, so if you can tell me what it's about...
I need help, and everybody I know seems to be busy.
You seem to have kept busy.
I tried to call you earlier but... you seem busy with the senator.
Finally, all of the cpu core seem to be busy all 100% in the calculation of the Fibonacci number N as shown below.
You seem very busy up at the ranch with your new foreman...
Besides, you seem real busy shining that toy from Jonathan, so...
You know what, you seem too busy to talk about it.
You seem really busy, but I was looking to shape.
You don't seem busy either.
Only, don't bother them if they seem busy.
Whatever he does, he seems to keep pretty busy.
Junpyo seems to be really busy.
Londoners are lovely people, even though they may seem busy rushing around the tube and busy streets.
But her father passed away when she was young, and her mother seems to be very busy with her nursing work.
The place seems especially busy today.
Bees seem very busy, in a burst of vitality.

Alternatives:

You appear to be busy.
You look like you're busy.
It seems like you're busy.
You're looking like you're busy.

Related Comparisons

What Our Customers Are Saying

Our customers love us! We have an average rating of 4.79 stars based on 283,125 votes.
Also check out our 2,100+ reviews on TrustPilot (4.9).

"Thank you!"
Sachi Nakama July 2024
"I have literally been through chat, PI, claude, bard and bing and I got conflicting answers! Thank you! Human intelligence reigns!"
Retha July 2024
"Faster than AI"
CYNTHIA December 2023
"This was very helpful and I personally think this site is the best."
Kaden October 2023
"It was extremely thorough and very helpful!"
imperialelisa October 2023
"7 years without any disappointment. Always 100% satisfied. You guys are the best in the world at what you do. Thank you so much :)"
Zubair Alam October 2023
"In a world of text messages and online communication, this is great to have as a live tool. Thank you."
Selena October 2023
"Without textranch I would be stuck!"
宏祐 October 2023
"Accuracy and fast response. Personal comments from editor. Thank you."
Clh September 2023
"I wasn't aware of this service, it's fascinating and more reliable than standard IA tools available on the internet"
Arturo September 2023
"The fact that you can get reliable fast feedback on your texts."
Vinicius Antonio August 2023
"you guys are better than grammarly i'm being honest here"
ordinary July 2023
"OMG! This is really good than any other text correction tools I've used so far. Highly recommend this."
Vehan July 2023
"Very fast and accurate. thank you."
mojtaba July 2023
"I love this app because it's help to writing skills all of students ♥️"
Tarisini July 2023
"This was exactly the mistake I was looking for, the wording dind´t sound right at first. Better than grammarly!"
Ente July 2023
"The immediate help that I received was reassuring and very satisfactory. Thanks."
priiiyanshuu July 2023
"this helps A LOT for my studies."
kathnunez02 June 2023
"Woow!! I would never have expected such precision! Thank you soooo much!!"
Berta June 2023
"Real Time Editor and not AI. Many Thanks."
Priya June 2023
"The very first thing excites me about Textranch is how much your editors care."
sepideh June 2023
"The fact that texts are checked by human editors rather than by AI, etc. I appreciate this!"
Анна June 2023
"Feel welcome, immediate response, high quality feedback"
martin.roy June 2023
"This is the best app that I have ever seen"
Burulai May 2023

Why choose TextRanch?

Lowest prices
Up to 50% lower than other online editing sites.

Fastest Times
Our team of editors is working for you 24/7.

Qualified Editors
Native English experts for UK or US English.

Top Customer Service
We are here to help. Satisfaction guaranteed!