Complete Guide to Using “I was busy + (verb-ing)” in English

The phrase “I was busy + verb-ing” is used to explain what activity occupied your time in the past. This construction helps communicate why you couldn’t do something else during that period.

“I was busy” Usage Examples (Past Tense)

Sno	English Example	Hindi Translation	Context Type
1	I was busy working.	मैं काम में व्यस्त था/थी।	Work commitment
2	I was busy cooking dinner.	मैं रात का खाना बनाने में व्यस्त था/थी।	Household chore
3	I was busy studying for my test.	मैं अपनी परीक्षा के लिए पढ़ाई में व्यस्त था/थी।	Academic preparation
4	I was busy cleaning the house.	मैं घर की सफाई में व्यस्त था/थी।	Domestic work
5	I was busy talking on the phone.	मैं फोन पर बात करने में व्यस्त था/थी।	Communication
6	I was busy attending meetings.	मैं मीटिंग्स में व्यस्त था/थी।	Professional duty
7	I was busy helping my parents.	मैं अपने माता-पिता की मदद में व्यस्त था/थी।	Family responsibility
8	I was busy completing the project.	मैं प्रोजेक्ट पूरा करने में व्यस्त था/थी।	Work task
9	I was busy driving.	मैं गाड़ी चलाने में व्यस्त था/थी।	Transportation
10	I was busy writing emails.	मैं ईमेल लिखने में व्यस्त था/थी।	Office work

Present Tense Version (“I am busy + verb-ing”)

Sno	English Example	Hindi Translation
1	I am busy working.	मैं काम में व्यस्त हूँ।
2	I am busy cooking.	मैं खाना बनाने में व्यस्त हूँ।
3	I am busy studying.	मैं पढ़ाई में व्यस्त हूँ।
4	I am busy cleaning.	मैं सफाई में व्यस्त हूँ।
5	I am busy writing reports.	मैं रिपोर्ट्स लिखने में व्यस्त हूँ।

Alternative Expressions

Sno	English Example	Hindi Translation
1	I was occupied with work.	मैं काम में व्यस्त था/थी।
2	I was in the middle of cooking.	मैं खाना बनाने में लगा/लगी हुआ था/थी।
3	I was tied up with meetings.	मैं मीटिंग्स में फँसा/फँसी हुआ था/थी।

Key Grammar Rules

1. Structure:
   • “Was busy” + verb-ing (past continuous form)
   • Correct: “I was busy working”
   • Incorrect: “I was busy to work”
2. Time Indicators:
   • Often used with time references:
     • “I was busy working all morning”
     • “Yesterday I was busy cleaning”
3. Question Form:
   • “Were you busy + verb-ing?”
   • Example: “Were you busy working when I called?”
4. Negative Form:
   • “I wasn’t busy doing anything important”
   • “I wasn’t busy when you called”

Common Mistakes to Avoid

“I was busy to cook dinner”
“I was busy cooking dinner” (gerund required)

“I busy was working”
“I was busy working” (correct word order)

“I was busy work”
“I was busy working” (verb-ing form required)

Cultural Usage Notes

1. Common excuse for not responding to calls/messages
2. More polite than simply saying “I didn’t have time”
3. Often used to decline invitations politely:
   • “I’d love to come, but I was busy preparing for my exam”