be engaged

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'be engaged' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which someone is actively participating, either in the context of employment (e.g. “He is engaged in that project.”) or in the context of a romantic relationship (e.g. “They are now engaged to be married.”).

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Everyone must be engaged.

The New York Times

Google has particular reason to be engaged.

The New York Times - Tech

We are not asked to be engaged.

The New Yorker

"We should be engaged in Darfur.

The New Yorker

This cannot be! — engaged to Mr. Darcy!

The New Yorker

They don't want to be engaged.

The New Yorker

"The intellectual must be engaged," he insisted.

The Economist

I'm going to be engaged forever.

The New Yorker

How long must they be engaged?

The New York Times

Why should we be engaged?

The Guardian - Opinion

They need to be engaged.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be engaged" to describe a state of being busy or involved, ensure the context clearly indicates the activity or subject one is engaged in. For example, "be engaged in a project" is clearer than simply "be engaged".

Common error

Avoid using "be engaged" without specifying what someone is engaged in. Vagueness can confuse your readers. Instead of saying "The students should be engaged", specify "The students should be engaged in active learning activities."

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "be engaged" is to serve as a verb phrase, indicating a state of involvement, commitment, or activity. Ludwig examples show its usage across various contexts to describe being actively involved or betrothed. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

19%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Social Media

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be engaged" functions as a versatile verb phrase denoting involvement, commitment, or betrothal. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used. Its high frequency across diverse sources like news, scientific publications, and business documents indicates its broad applicability. When using "be engaged", ensure clarity by specifying the activity or context. Understanding these nuances helps writers employ "be engaged" effectively in their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be involved

Highlights inclusion and contribution.

participate actively

Focuses on the active role in an activity.

be committed

Emphasizes dedication and responsibility.

take part

Suggests joining in an activity or event.

be engrossed

Implies being deeply absorbed or fascinated.

be occupied

Highlights being busy or having one's attention held.

be connected

Suggests a sense of being linked or related.

be attentive

Emphasizes paying close attention and being responsive.

be responsive

Highlights quickness to react or respond.

be diligent

Emphasizes careful and persistent effort.

FAQs

How can I use "be engaged" in a sentence?

You can use "be engaged" to describe someone's involvement or commitment, as in "They should "be engaged" in the discussion" or "She is "be engaged" to John."

What are some alternatives to "be engaged"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "be involved", "participate", or "be committed".

Is it correct to say "be engage" instead of "be engaged"?

No, "be engage" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is ""be engaged"", which uses the past participle of the verb 'engage'.

What's the difference between "be engaged" and "get engaged"?

"Be engaged" can refer to a state of involvement or a state of being promised in marriage. "Get engaged" specifically means to become promised in marriage.