a previous engagement

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a previous engagement" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone has a prior commitment or appointment that prevents them from attending another event. Example: "I'm sorry, but I can't attend the meeting tomorrow as I have a previous engagement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

"I had a previous engagement," she said.

The New Yorker

A previous engagement was broken off in her early 20s.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Rejections were usually in the form of an offered-up excuse about a previous engagement.

The New York Times

The mayor's press office said that Mr. Giuliani has a previous engagement for March 1.

The New York Times - Style

Sinead O'Connor's two-night appearance grew out of a previous engagement at Lincoln Center.

The New York Times - Arts

A Vatican aide said that the sheik had leaned over and told the pope he had a previous engagement.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

I think we did learn a lesson, however, and should learn a lesson from the previous engagement in the Afghan area, that we should not just simply leave after a military objective has been achieved.

The New York Times

Sampling was purposive and aimed to obtain a range of national policy-makers on the following dimensions: a cross section of WHO regions, a variety of levels of previous engagement with the Countdown process and a range of policy-making responsibilities.

Health Research Policy and Systems

He noted tonight that America "should learn a lesson from the previous engagement in the Afghan area -- that we should not just simply leave after a military objective has been achieved".

The New York Times

I had a few previous engagements to fulfill, but between those joyless performances, I didn't play.

The Washington Post

Our a priori hypothesis was that previous engagement experiences (i.e. group membership: ST vs. RC) and concurrent affect (positive emotional tone and fearfulness during the test) were predictors of joint attention and cooperation outcomes, and, thus, these variables were entered as the first, second, and third steps, respectively.

Developmental Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a previous engagement" to decline an invitation, consider adding a sincere expression of regret and, if appropriate, suggest an alternative time to meet.

Common error

While "a previous engagement" is a polite way to decline, avoid using it repeatedly without varying your language. Overuse can sound insincere or evasive. Opt for a more specific reason when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a previous engagement" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as an object of a preposition (e.g., 'due to a previous engagement') or as the reason for declining an invitation. Ludwig shows its usage in expressing prior commitments.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a previous engagement" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to politely decline invitations or explain unavailability. Ludwig AI confirms this, highlighting its prevalence in News & Media and Science. While versatile, it's important to consider the context and audience when using the phrase. Alternatives like "a prior commitment" or "a scheduling conflict" offer similar meanings with slight variations in formality or emphasis. To avoid sounding insincere, it's advisable to use specific details when possible and vary your language rather than over-relying on this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a previous commitment

It is more generic than "a previous engagement".

a prior commitment

Uses 'prior' instead of 'previous' to convey the same meaning of an earlier obligation.

a pre-existing commitment

Adds emphasis on the commitment existing beforehand.

a prior obligation

Substitutes 'engagement' with 'obligation', highlighting the binding nature of the commitment.

a conflicting appointment

Emphasizes the clash between two scheduled events.

a prior arrangement

Replaces 'engagement' with 'arrangement', suggesting a pre-existing plan.

a previous appointment

It is more formal and specific to medical or professional settings.

a scheduling conflict

Highlights the problem of overlapping schedules.

a conflicting schedule

Focuses on the incompatibility of two scheduled times.

a prior reservation

It means that something like a table or seat was booked at an earlier time.

FAQs

What does "a previous engagement" mean?

It's a polite way of saying you already have plans or a commitment that prevents you from accepting an invitation or attending an event.

How can I use "a previous engagement" in a sentence?

You might say, "I appreciate the invitation, but I won't be able to attend due to "a previous engagement"."

What's a more direct alternative to "a previous engagement"?

If you're comfortable being more specific, you could say you already have "prior commitment" or "a scheduling conflict".

Is it always appropriate to use "a previous engagement"?

While generally acceptable, consider your audience and the context. In very formal settings, it's perfectly fine, but with close friends, a more personal explanation might be appreciated.