become engaged

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "become engaged" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to refer to the act of agreeing to marry someone and is often used in the context of a romantic relationship. Here is an example of how it could be used in a sentence: "After dating for two years, Sarah and John decided to take their relationship to the next level and become engaged."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

When did you become engaged?

The New York Times

How did you become engaged?

The New York Times

Afterwards, Michael&Bridget become engaged.

The New Yorker

To become engaged.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

She had recently become engaged.

The New York Times

(Cooper's stepdaughter has become engaged to a woman).

The New Yorker

Why suffer on two counts?" How did you become engaged?

The New York Times

Our 28-year-old daughter will soon become engaged.

The New York Times

When did you first become engaged with these issues?

The Guardian

In August 2008, they decided to become engaged.

The New York Times

As soon as there's an appropriation element, I become engaged".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "become engaged" in the context of marriage, ensure that the surrounding text clarifies the relationship and the commitment being made. For example, "After a long courtship, they decided to become engaged."

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by specifying whether you mean "engaged" in the context of marriage or involvement in an activity. For instance, instead of just saying "she became engaged", specify "she became engaged to be married" or "she became engaged in the project".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "become engaged" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating the commencement of a state, either the state of being betrothed (agreeing to marry) or the state of being actively involved in something. Ludwig's examples show it used in both contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Wiki

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "become engaged" is widely used and grammatically correct, as confirmed by Ludwig. It serves primarily to denote entering a state of betrothal or active involvement. While versatile across contexts, "become engaged" is most frequently encountered in News & Media and Wiki sources. To avoid ambiguity, specify the context, whether it's related to marriage or participation. For alternatives, consider "get involved" or "become betrothed", depending on the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

get betrothed

This alternative focuses specifically on the marital promise aspect of "become engaged".

become betrothed

This phrase is a more formal synonym, highlighting the marital aspect.

get involved

This phrase emphasizes the action of participating or becoming active in something.

take part

Similar to "get involved", this emphasizes active participation.

enter into

This alternative suggests a formal entry into a commitment or activity.

immerse oneself

This suggests a deep and thorough involvement.

throw oneself into

This phrase conveys enthusiastic and energetic involvement.

get hitched

A more informal way of saying "become engaged" focusing on marriage.

tie the knot

An idiomatic expression emphasizing the marriage aspect.

join in

This alternative focuses on joining an existing activity or group.

FAQs

How do I use "become engaged" in a sentence?

You can use "become engaged" to describe someone agreeing to marry, as in "They decided to become engaged after dating for five years". It can also describe someone starting to participate in something, such as "She decided to become engaged in community service".

What can I say instead of "become engaged"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "get involved", "become betrothed", or "get hitched".

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

No, "become engaging" and "become engaged" have different meanings. "Become engaged" means to commit to marriage or to start participating in something. "Become engaging" means to become interesting or charming.

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

"Become engaged" and "get engaged" are largely interchangeable. Both phrases refer to the act of entering into a commitment to marry. The choice between them often comes down to stylistic preference.