are engaging in

USAGE SUMMARY

'are engaging in' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to refer to a particular activity that someone is currently doing. For example: The students are engaging in lively discussions as the teacher walks around the classroom.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Multinational companies are engaging in skills mentoring.

The Guardian

"We are engaging in overkill," he said.

The New York Times

They are engaging in criminal activities for their own ends.

The Guardian

Writers are engaging in projects with musicians, painters, and sculptors.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"Look at the way kids here are engaging in it".

The New York Times

They also shut down firms that are engaging in fraud.

The Washington Post

Cruddas and his assistants are engaging in an unglamorous task.

The Guardian

As such, it is important to understand whether survivors are engaging in cancer screenings.

American Journal of Preventive Medicine

Leicester and Hull are engaging in redundancies (including the UCU national president, Rob Goodfellow).

The Guardian

That is understandable and we, and other providers, are engaging in this work.

The Guardian

In the wake of the economic hardship, Iranian officials are engaging in a blame game.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are engaging in" to describe ongoing activities or processes, especially when emphasizing active participation or involvement.

Common error

Avoid using "are engaging in" when a simpler verb like "doing" or "performing" would suffice. The phrase is most effective when highlighting active participation or a deeper level of involvement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are engaging in" functions as a present continuous verb phrase, indicating an ongoing action or activity. It expresses that someone or something is currently participating or involved in something, as seen in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

21%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "are engaging in" is a versatile and grammatically sound verb phrase used to describe ongoing actions, activities, or involvements. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's perfectly acceptable in written English and widely used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science. While there are many alternatives, such as "are participating in" or "are involved in", the key is to use the phrase appropriately, emphasizing active participation rather than simply substituting it for simpler verbs. This guide provides insights into its usage, common errors to avoid, and how to effectively incorporate it into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are participating in

This alternative emphasizes active involvement in an activity or event.

are involved in

This phrase highlights a state of being connected to or included in something.

are taking part in

Similar to "are participating in", this option stresses the act of joining an activity.

are occupied with

This suggests that someone's time or attention is being used by something.

are engrossed in

This indicates a deep level of attention and immersion in an activity.

are absorbed in

Similar to "are engrossed in", this implies complete focus on something.

are busy with

This suggests that someone has a lot to do or is actively working on something.

are undertaking

This alternative places an emphasis on the start of action and its continuation.

are pursuing

This alternative suggests actively following or striving towards a goal.

are occupied by

Similar to "are busy with", this implies that one's energy/time is consumed by an activity.

FAQs

How can I use "are engaging in" in a sentence?

Use "are engaging in" to describe actions that involve active participation or involvement. For example, "The students "are engaging in" a debate" or "The company "are engaging in" sustainable practices".

What are some alternatives to "are engaging in"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "are participating in", "are involved in", or "are taking part in".

Is it correct to say "is engaging in" instead of "are engaging in"?

No, "is engaging in" is used for singular subjects, while "are engaging in" is used for plural subjects. For example, "He is engaging in research", but "They "are engaging in" research".

What's the difference between "are engaging in" and "are involved in"?

"Are involved in" suggests a state of being connected or associated with something, while "are engaging in" emphasizes active participation or action within that involvement. The nuances can be subtle but important for precise communication.