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Anonymous Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

I was

Hi;

I've been busy.
I was busy.

Can I use these two when I want to say that I'm not busy anymore and that the busyness is finished? If not, what's the difference between them? Will someone help me, please? Thanks.
  

Top answer

Context is important. Scenario 1: A: I haven't heard from you in weeks. Why haven't you called me?

— AlpheccaStars

  • Context is important.
  • Scenario 1: A: I haven't heard from you in weeks.
  • Why haven't you called me?
  • B: I've been busy.
  • (There is an implication that I am still busy.
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3 Answers
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Context is important.

Scenario 1:
A: I haven't heard from you in weeks. Why haven't you called me?
B: I've been busy. (There is an implication that I am still busy. )

Scenario 2:
A: I was waiting for your call yesterday. Why didn't you call me?
B: I was busy. (I was busy yesterday.
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What if a stranger came up to you on the street and said 'I've been busy'? Would you think they were still busy without any further context?

I've been busy lately. Does this mean I'm still busy?
I've been busy today. The same question.

Does it depend on the context?
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AnonymousWhat if a stranger came up to you on the street and said 'I've been busy'? Would you think they were still busy without any further context?
A complete stranger? No other context? I'd think they were quite strange. I would not think about their state of "busyness"
AnonymousI've been busy lately. Does this mean I'm still busy?I'
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