are not engaging

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are not engaging" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that fails to capture interest or attention. Example: "The presentation was poorly structured, and the visuals are not engaging, leading to a lack of audience participation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But these new-era distribution participants are not engaging in blog-rolling.

The New York Times

If you just say 'I'm offended!', you are not engaging with the material.

The Guardian

"We are not engaging with the current political systems, but that's not the same thing.

The Guardian

We are not engaging in economic activities to vie for ranking but to enhance people's lives".

The Guardian - Business

Employees who try to harangue leaders into changing corporate policy are not engaging in free speech.

The New York Times

This assumes, however, that people are not engaging with politics, which is far from the truth.

The Guardian

The story works in its preposterous way because we are not engaging with reality.

The Guardian - Books

Collective bargaining, you are not engaging in collective bargaining when you're a public employee union.

The Guardian - Opinion

But, Aylett says, such voices have limited use as they are not engaging.

University of California, Berkeley

Marrying for money hasn't exactly gone out of fashion, but generally we are not engaging in strategic dynastic mergers.

The New Yorker

"We are doing everything to get the most information possible and we are not engaging in speculation".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, ensure the subject you're describing is clearly defined so that the reader understands who or what "are not engaging" with something.

Common error

Avoid using "are not engaging" when the intended meaning is that someone is actively avoiding something. "Not engaging" implies a lack of interaction, not necessarily active avoidance. For active avoidance consider better alternatives such as "shunning", "evading", or "rejecting" depending on your context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are not engaging" typically functions as part of a verb phrase, often within a clause that describes a state of inactivity or disinterest. As Ludwig AI states, it indicates a failure to capture interest or attention. The auxiliary verbs "are not" negate the action of "engaging", indicating an absence of participation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

32%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "are not engaging" is a versatile phrase that effectively conveys a lack of participation, interest, or interaction. Ludwig AI highlights that it's often used to describe something that fails to capture attention. Its grammatical correctness and frequent use across diverse sources, including news media, scientific publications, and academic papers, make it a reliable choice for expressing disinterest or non-involvement. While suitable for various contexts, ensure clarity by specifying the subject that is not engaging. Alternatives include phrases like "are not participating" and "are not involved", offering nuanced ways to express the absence of connection or participation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are not participating

Focuses specifically on the lack of active involvement in an activity or event.

are not involved

Highlights a general absence of connection or participation.

are not connecting

Emphasizes a failure to establish a relationship or understanding.

are not interacting

Focuses on the absence of reciprocal action or communication.

are not responding

Indicates a lack of reaction or acknowledgement.

are not interested

Highlights a lack of curiosity or enthusiasm.

are not attentive

Focuses on a lack of focus or concentration.

are not captivated

Suggests a failure to capture someone's attention or interest deeply.

are not engrossed

Indicates a lack of absorption or immersion in something.

are not absorbed

Highlights a failure to be completely involved or consumed by something.

FAQs

How can I use "are not engaging" in a sentence?

You can use "are not engaging" to describe a lack of participation, interest, or interaction. For example, "Students "are not engaging" with the material because it is too difficult".

What does "are not engaging" mean?

"Are not engaging" signifies a lack of interaction, interest, or active participation in something. It suggests a disconnect or absence of involvement.

What's a more formal way to say "are not engaging"?

A more formal alternative to "are not engaging" could be "are not participating" or "are not actively involved". These phrases convey a similar meaning in a more formal context.

When should I use "are not engaging" instead of "are avoiding"?

Use "are not engaging" when you want to convey a lack of interaction or interest, rather than active avoidance. "Are avoiding" implies a deliberate effort to stay away from something, whereas "are not engaging" suggests a passive lack of involvement.