busy/engaged/occupied

[milan2003_07]

Hello,

There are three words with a similar meaning in particular contexts: "busy", "occupied", and "engaged". However they aren't always interchangeable. I will provide some sentences below, which we often use in everyday life:

1) The restroom is busy/engaged now and we will need to wait for some 5 minutes before we get there

What about "The restroom is occupied now and we will need to wait for some 5 minutes before we get there"?

2) My mother's cell phone is busy/engaged/occupied now because she might be talking to her sister

3) This seat is busy/engaged/occupied and you'll have to look for another one

Are all the three words suitable for the contexts I've given?

Thanks

 

[milan2003_07]

Thanks a great deal!!! Very helpful, indeed.

I have only one question which is a bit out of topic. Why "seating in the seat" but not "on the seat"?

 

[emsr2d2]

I seem to recall another thread where the type of seat also seemed to affect the preposition. At school, where we have those hard wood or plastic chairs which frequently don't have armrests and are rather uncomfortable, we generally say "on the chair". However, a soft, comfortable armchair which you sink back into and relax, we sometimes say we are sitting "in".