Busy with means occupied with something or someone: busy with work, busy with a client. People use it to explain why they don't have time right now: they're dealing with a particular task or person.
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busy with + noun; busy + -ing; keep someone busy
- The whole department is busy with the move to the new office this week.
- I'll be busy with guests all weekend, so let's meet on Monday instead.
- My sister is busy with her thesis and spends most evenings in the library.
What changed
First versionI can't talk now, I'm busy with preparing the presentation for tomorrow.
RevisionI can't talk now, I'm busy preparing the presentation for tomorrow.
With looks natural here because it's used before nouns: busy with the presentation. But before an -ing form, busy needs no preposition: busy preparing. Keep with for nouns.
Before a noun, busy describes a place or time with a lot going on: a busy street, a busy week. For a phone line, Americans say The line is busy, while British speakers more often say The line is engaged.
Your turn
I'm afraid Dan can't take your call — he's ___ a client right now.
Show the answer
busy with — The gap is followed by a noun, a client, so you need with. Busy without a preposition only goes before an -ing form: busy talking to a client.
A colleague invites you to a meeting today. Say no: explain what you're busy with and when you'll be free.
Sorry, I'm busy with the budget review today, but I'll be free after four tomorrow.
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