becoming engaged

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "becoming engaged" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the process of becoming involved or committed to something, such as a relationship or a project. Example: "After months of dating, they are finally becoming engaged and planning their future together."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Suddenly becoming engaged has become an urgent priority.

Huffington Post

Education sector planning has become increasingly challenging as more ministries are becoming engaged in the process.

Unicef

He exuberantly showed off his engagement ring to colleagues the day after becoming engaged and brought Mr. Robierb to parties with fellow co-hosts.

The New York Times

They had broken off their relationship briefly before becoming engaged.

The New York Times

They separated in 2006, five months after becoming engaged.

The New York Times

Are they developing critical thinking skills and becoming engaged citizens?

The Washington Post

Others decided to put their teaching into practice by becoming engaged in politics.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But Foster insisted he was pleased that students were becoming engaged.

The Guardian

But formal acting training didn't interest Glynn, who was becoming engaged with social justice movements.

The Guardian

He seems unlikely to leave the West Coast after becoming engaged to Jeanie Buss, the Lakers' executive vice president.

The New York Times - Sports

Shortly after becoming engaged to the town's most eligible bachelor, Carolina realizes that her eyesight is slowly slipping away.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In contexts beyond marriage, clarify what one is becoming engaged with or in to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "becoming engaged" loosely to mean simply 'starting' something. It implies a deeper commitment or involvement than a mere beginning.

Linguistic Context

"Becoming engaged" functions as a gerund phrase, often acting as a noun. It describes an action or process, whether it relates to a marriage proposal or a deeper involvement in a cause or activity. Ludwig shows various examples where the phrase indicates a transition or a growing commitment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Science

2%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "becoming engaged" is a versatile gerund phrase widely used to describe the process of entering a state of commitment, most commonly marriage or involvement in an activity. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically sound and suitable for diverse contexts ranging from news reports to academic discussions. While primarily found in News & Media, it also appears in Formal & Business and Encyclopedias sources. To ensure clarity, specify the context of engagement to avoid ambiguity. When referring to marriage you can try alternatives like "getting affianced".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

getting affianced

Emphasizes the formal agreement or promise to marry.

getting betrothed

Highlights the traditional or ceremonial aspect of becoming engaged.

entering engagement

Focuses on the state or period of being engaged.

committing to marriage

Underscores the commitment aspect of becoming engaged.

pledging to marry

Highlights the promise and intention behind becoming engaged.

getting involved

Focuses on the process of becoming part of something or taking part in an activity or project.

becoming active

Highlights the transformation of being inactive to an active role in a specific domain.

getting absorbed

Refers to the act of becoming deeply engrossed or occupied in a particular activity or subject.

becoming immersed

Describes the process of being completely surrounded or enveloped by something, often an idea or experience.

getting wrapped up

Suggests becoming very involved or preoccupied with something, sometimes to the point of neglecting other responsibilities.

FAQs

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

You can use "becoming engaged" to describe the process of getting engaged to be married, such as, "After dating for five years, they are finally "becoming engaged"." Alternatively, it can describe getting involved in something, like, "More citizens are "becoming engaged" in local politics."

What are some synonyms for "becoming engaged" when referring to marriage?

When referring to marriage, synonyms for "becoming engaged" include "getting engaged", "getting affianced", or "getting betrothed."

Is it correct to say "becoming engaged on" a specific date?

While grammatically correct, it's more common to say "got engaged on" or "became engaged on" a specific date. The phrase "becoming engaged" typically describes a process rather than a specific event.

How does "becoming engaged" differ from "being engaged"?

"Becoming engaged" describes the process of entering into a state of engagement, whether for marriage or an activity. "Being engaged" describes the state of already being in that commitment or involvement.