became engaged

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "became engaged" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to indicate that someone has begun a committed relationship with the intention of getting married. For example, "John and Sarah became engaged last month after three years of dating".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They became engaged.

The New Yorker

Nevertheless, they became engaged.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In December, she became engaged.

The New York Times - Sports

In August, the couple became engaged.

The New Yorker

And last May, they became engaged.

The New York Times

They became engaged last year.

The Guardian

They became engaged in November.

The New York Times

The sons became engaged frequently.

The New York Times

Soon after, they became engaged.

The New York Times - Arts

And became engaged in February.

The New York Times

They became engaged in late spring of 1992..

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "became engaged", ensure that the context clearly indicates a romantic engagement with the intent to marry. Avoid using it in contexts where "engaged" might refer to involvement in an activity or discussion.

Common error

Avoid using "became engaged" in contexts where "engaged" means "involved" or "occupied". For example, saying "He became engaged in the project" is grammatically correct but can cause confusion if the reader expects a romantic context. Use "became involved" or "participated" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "became engaged" functions as a stative verb phrase, indicating a change of state to being formally promised in marriage. As Ludwig AI highlights, this phrase denotes the commencement of a committed relationship with matrimonial intentions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

15%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "became engaged" is a commonly used and grammatically correct way to describe the act of two people committing to marriage. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage across various reliable sources, primarily in news and media, encyclopedias and wikis. It is important to use the phrase in contexts that clearly convey a romantic intent to avoid potential misunderstandings. For alternatives, consider using "got engaged" or "promised to marry" depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

got engaged

Simple and direct alternative, replacing "became" with "got" for a more casual tone.

agreed to marry

Highlights the agreement between two people to get married.

promised to marry

Focuses on the promise aspect of engagement rather than the state of being engaged.

were betrothed

More formal and old-fashioned term for becoming engaged.

made a commitment to marry

Emphasizes the serious commitment involved in getting engaged.

entered into an engagement

A more formal and somewhat legalistic way of saying "became engaged".

announced their engagement

Focuses on the public announcement of the engagement.

were affianced

A less common, more archaic synonym for "engaged".

tied the knot

An idiom indicating the process or intention of getting married.

set a wedding date

Focuses on the scheduling of the wedding as a consequence of the engagement.

FAQs

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

The phrase "became engaged" is used to describe the act of two people agreeing to marry. For example, "After dating for five years, they became engaged during their trip to Italy".

What can I say instead of "became engaged"?

You can use alternatives like "got engaged", "were betrothed", or "promised to marry" depending on the context and formality.

Is it correct to say "become engaged" instead of "became engaged"?

The phrase "become engaged" is the infinitive form, while "became engaged" is the past tense. Use "became engaged" when describing an event that happened in the past. For example, "They became engaged last year" is correct.

What's the difference between "became engaged" and "got engaged"?

While both phrases are very similar and often interchangeable, "got engaged" is slightly more informal than "became engaged". The choice depends on the context and the desired level of formality.