Busy Doing; Having Trouble Doing

← Grammar Hub
B1On my own or with a tutor

Busy Doing; Having Trouble Doing

In this lesson, you can describe what occupies someone using busy + -ing or with + noun.

Created by , British English teacher.

I’m studying:

Try the activities, then check your answers.

Choose a short recording.

Before you start

Say what you are busy doing today.

See one possible response

I’m busy preparing dinner.

A small event team explains what it is working on and where it needs help.

What you will practise
  • Describe what occupies someone using busy + -ing or with + noun.
  • State a difficulty using an activity complement.
  • Distinguish being occupied from finding a task difficult.

Try each response before revealing a model. Equivalent grammatical answers are welcome when they preserve the task meaning.

Busy doing an activity

Busy + -ing describes the activity occupying someone: I’m busy checking the list. Busy with + noun is another useful pattern: busy with the bookings. Busy to check is not the ordinary way to name the occupying activity.

I’m busy organising the chairs.

She’s busy with the invitations.

An activity or a noun phrase after busy

Busy plus an activity
busywritingthe invitations

I’m busy writing the invitations.

Busy with a task noun
busywiththe bookings

She’s busy with the bookings.

Use the -ing activity directly after busy. Use with before the noun phrase naming the task.
She is occupied taking clean printed pages from a functioning compact printer beside her laptop, concentrating with no frustrated malfunction. Only printer, laptop and paper props.
I’m busy printing, but the printer is working well.Busy names the occupying activity.

Have trouble or difficulty doing

Have trouble/difficulty + -ing describes an obstacle: We’re having trouble opening the file. With + noun can name the problem area: trouble with the printer. Do not change difficulty into an action verb in this frame.

I have trouble remembering long codes.

They had difficulty finding the entrance.

Keep the problem specific

Name the task and the obstacle, then ask for useful help. I’m busy and I’m having trouble are different: one reports occupation, the other a problem. Both can be true, but neither automatically implies the other.

I’m busy printing, but the printer is working well.

I’m having trouble loading the file; could you check the format?

She tries to load a file on the laptop, showing mild frustration at an indistinct loading indicator, with a USB drive and folder. Do not depict a printing fault or a successful completed upload.
I’m having trouble loading the file.Trouble names an obstacle.

Guided practice

Say or write your answer first. Then compare the meaning and grammar with the model.

1. I’m busy ___ the room. Use prepare.

Compare a model and explanation

preparing

Busy takes the -ing activity in this pattern.

Accept a grammatical alternative that satisfies the stated prompt and this item’s explanation; the model is not an exhaustive exact-string key.

2. We had trouble to find the café.

Compare a model and explanation

We had trouble finding the café.

Use an -ing complement after trouble here.

Accept a grammatical alternative that satisfies the stated prompt and this item’s explanation; the model is not an exhaustive exact-string key.

3. She’s busy organising the tickets. Use busy with and a noun phrase.

Compare a model and explanation

She’s busy with the ticket arrangements.

A noun phrase follows with.

Accept a grammatical alternative that satisfies the stated prompt and this item’s explanation; the model is not an exhaustive exact-string key.

4. I have difficulty remembering names.

Compare a model and explanation

I had difficulty remembering names.

Change have, not the -ing form.

Accept a grammatical alternative that satisfies the stated prompt and this item’s explanation; the model is not an exhaustive exact-string key.

5. I’m busy checking forms. I’m having trouble checking forms. Which states a difficulty?

Compare a model and explanation

I’m having trouble checking forms.

Busy alone states occupation.

Accept a grammatical alternative that satisfies the stated prompt and this item’s explanation; the model is not an exhaustive exact-string key.

6. I’m having trouble. Add the activity opening the locked drawer.

Compare a model and explanation

I’m having trouble opening the locked drawer.

The activity makes the problem specific.

Accept a grammatical alternative that satisfies the stated prompt and this item’s explanation; the model is not an exhaustive exact-string key.

7. I have difficulty in understanding the instructions. Is in necessarily wrong?

Compare a model and explanation

No.

Difficulty in doing is also a valid pattern, especially in more formal wording.

Accept a grammatical alternative that satisfies the stated prompt and this item’s explanation; the model is not an exhaustive exact-string key.

8. You are organising a meeting but cannot upload the agenda.

Compare a model and explanation

I’m busy organising the meeting, and I’m having trouble uploading the agenda. Could you check the file?

Distinguish the overall task from its specific problem.

Accept a grammatical alternative that satisfies the stated prompt and this item’s explanation; the model is not an exhaustive exact-string key.

A short conversation

Listen to the exchange, then take one role. The speaker labels identify roles; do not narrate them.

Open the conversation transcript

Coordinator: Are you busy with the seating plan?

Assistant: Yes, and I’m having trouble fitting everyone into the small room.

Coordinator: I can help. How many extra chairs do you need?

Assistant: Four. I had difficulty reading two names on the list too.

Listening checks

Listen to each extract, then choose the best answer. These three questions have their own score.

1. Does the speaker say the task is difficult?
Read the listening transcript

I’m busy making the labels, but it’s easy work.

2. What was difficult?
Read the listening transcript

We had trouble finding the entrance, but we arrived on time.

3. What help is requested?
Read the listening transcript

I’m having difficulty uploading the photos. Can you check my connection?

Answer key with explanations

  1. Does the speaker say the task is difficult?

    No.: Busy is combined with an explicit statement that it is easy.

    Compare all choices
    • No.: Busy is combined with an explicit statement that it is easy.
    • The speaker is doing nothing.: Busy making labels states activity.
    • Yes, very difficult.: That contradicts easy work.

  2. What was difficult?

    Finding the entrance.: The -ing activity names the difficulty.

    Compare all choices
    • Arriving before the event ever began.: The stated problem is the entrance, and they arrived on time.
    • Finding the entrance.: The -ing activity names the difficulty.
    • Printing tickets.: Printing is not mentioned.

  3. What help is requested?

    Checking the connection.: The final question makes the requested assistance specific.

    Compare all choices
    • Choosing a restaurant.: That is unrelated to the message.
    • Taking new photos.: The issue is uploading existing photos.
    • Checking the connection.: The final question makes the requested assistance specific.

Mastery quiz

Choose the best answer for each situation. The score is out of eight.

1. Complete: She’s busy ___ the guests.
2. Complete: We had trouble ___ the address.
3. Choose the noun complement pattern.
4. Which states an obstacle rather than occupation alone?
5. Choose the correct past sentence.
6. Is difficulty in doing always incorrect?
7. Which request makes the problem specific?
8. Choose the coherent contrast.
Answer key with explanations

  1. Complete: She’s busy ___ the guests.

    welcoming: Busy introduces the occupying -ing activity.

    Compare all choices
    • welcome: A bare verb does not fit here.
    • to welcome: This is not the target complement naming her current occupation.
    • welcoming: Busy introduces the occupying -ing activity.

  2. Complete: We had trouble ___ the address.

    finding: Trouble takes the -ing activity in this pattern.

    Compare all choices
    • finding: Trouble takes the -ing activity in this pattern.
    • found: A finite past form does not fit after trouble.
    • to found: This is neither the correct infinitive nor the target complement.

  3. Choose the noun complement pattern.

    busy with the bookings: With introduces a noun phrase.

    Compare all choices
    • busy to the bookings: To does not introduce this noun complement.
    • busy with the bookings: With introduces a noun phrase.
    • busy the bookings with to: The words do not form the pattern.

  4. Which states an obstacle rather than occupation alone?

    I’m having trouble opening the box.: Trouble explicitly marks difficulty.

    Compare all choices
    • I’m busy opening the boxes.: Busy alone does not establish difficulty.
    • I’m opening the box now.: This only describes an activity.
    • I’m having trouble opening the box.: Trouble explicitly marks difficulty.

  5. Choose the correct past sentence.

    They had difficulty choosing a date.: Had and the -ing complement are correctly formed.

    Compare all choices
    • They had difficulty choosing a date.: Had and the -ing complement are correctly formed.
    • They difficulty had to choosing.: The word order and complement are wrong.
    • They have difficulty chose yesterday.: The past activity form and tense do not fit.

  6. Is difficulty in doing always incorrect?

    No.: It is an established alternative pattern.

    Compare all choices
    • Yes, because no noun can take in.: That is false.
    • No.: It is an established alternative pattern.
    • Yes, because doing must always follow to.: -ing complements do not obey that rule.

  7. Which request makes the problem specific?

    I’m having trouble connecting the speaker. Could you check the cable?: The activity and requested help are both named.

    Compare all choices
    • I’m busy, so every task is impossible.: Being busy does not establish impossibility.
    • Trouble.: This leaves the problem unexplained.
    • I’m having trouble connecting the speaker. Could you check the cable?: The activity and requested help are both named.

  8. Choose the coherent contrast.

    I’m busy preparing the slides, but I’m not having any trouble.: A person can be occupied without difficulty.

    Compare all choices
    • I’m busy preparing the slides, but I’m not having any trouble.: A person can be occupied without difficulty.
    • I’m busy, so I cannot be doing any activity.: Busy implies occupation, not inactivity.
    • I had difficulty find and busy to finding.: Both complement structures are incorrect.

Use it in your own words

Current tasks

Describe two tasks keeping different people busy. Use -ing and with + noun.

Reveal a possible response

I’m busy checking the names. My colleague is busy with the room bookings.

  • Use both complement types
  • Keep each person’s task clear

Fictional work is acceptable.

A useful request

Explain a small practical difficulty and ask for targeted help.

Reveal a possible response

I’m having trouble reading this map. Could you show me the entrance?

  • Name the -ing activity
  • Ask for help connected to it

Choose a low-risk everyday difficulty.

Put it all together

Give a progress update for a community event: one task is keeping you busy but going well; another is difficult. Explain both and request one useful action.

Reveal a possible response

I’m busy making the name cards, and that’s going well. I’m having difficulty opening the booking file. Could you send it in another format?

  • Separate occupation from difficulty
  • Use correct complements
  • Make the next action practical

Other coherent problems and requests are welcome.

Take it with you

Use an activity ending in ing after busy and expressions such as have trouble. Describe the actual difficulty or engagement, not just a memorised word pattern.