being able to engage

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "being able to engage" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the capacity or ability to participate or interact in a particular context. Example: "Being able to engage with diverse perspectives is crucial for effective teamwork."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Truly enjoy being able to engage with journalists of your caliber at this level.

The New Yorker

"She is probably not going to run a mile, but in terms of being able to engage, she can comprehend and assess information — without a doubt".

The New York Times

He talked about the limitations imposed by the concussions: not being able to engage in activity that forced blood to rush to his head or working out in a certain way.

The New York Times - Sports

And he "liked the idea of himself being able to engage fellows and scholars," recalls Donald Evans, an old friend who served as commerce secretary in his first term.

The New York Times - Magazine

"This final level is very much about people skills," says Dix, adding that you probably can't do a job at the Foreign Office without being able to engage with people.

The Guardian

"Even though there's a lot of hype and a lot of excitement it's still pretty new in terms of how storytellers are being able to engage it in different ways," she says.

The Guardian - Film

But I think after you've dealt with the individual, you had to give him some credit for being able to engage in the kind of hoax he engaged in".

The New York Times

Although psychologists continue to explore the exact mechanisms by which mindfulness facilitates divergent thinking, there is convincing evidence demonstrating a causal link between being mindful and being able to engage in divergent thinking.

Harvard Business Review

What's undeniable is that in addition to being able to engage in this sort of distant imitation, this sort of playful, non-habituating copying, we are also capable of engaging in imitation that gives rise to habituation.

Yale University

"It's really about being able to engage more in-depth with different media types than we can now". The Alumni Association will debut Stanford on iTunes as part of the kickoff of Stanford's annual Reunion Homecoming Weekend, which begins today.

Stanford University

In fact, some of them do something really unusual: they continue to come to academic and quasi-academic meetings, to listen to the give and take of outsiders who have the luxury of being able to engage in irresponsible speculation.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "being able to engage" when you want to emphasize the capacity or opportunity to interact, participate, or connect with something or someone. It suggests a level of readiness or capability.

Common error

Avoid using "being able to engage" when simpler alternatives like "engaging" or "able to engage" would suffice. Conciseness often improves clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "being able to engage" functions as a verbal phrase expressing the capability or possibility of participating in an activity or interaction. As Ludwig highlights, this phrase is widely used across different contexts to denote the capacity to interact.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Academia

24%

Science

24%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "being able to engage" is a versatile and frequently used expression that denotes the capacity or possibility of interacting or participating in something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and appears across various contexts, including News & Media, Academia, and Science. When writing, consider whether simpler alternatives like "able to engage" might be more concise. Remember that using "being able to engage" implies not just the ability, but also the presence of opportunity. It’s suitable for neutral register but appears in more formal contexts too.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

capable of interacting with

Emphasizes the competence and readiness to interact in a specific way.

able to participate actively in

Stresses active involvement and contribution rather than passive engagement.

having the capacity to interact

Focuses on the inherent ability or potential to interact, emphasizing capability.

prepared to participate in

Highlights readiness and anticipation for active involvement.

possessing the skill to participate

Highlights the learned ability or expertise needed to participate effectively.

equipped to interact

Emphasizes preparedness and the necessary tools or knowledge for interaction.

in a position to interact

Indicates that circumstances allow for interaction, emphasizing opportunity.

empowered to connect with

Focuses on being given the power or authority to form connections and interact.

having the facility to connect

Implies an ease or natural aptitude for making connections and interacting.

in a state to engage

Highlights the current condition or readiness for engagement.

FAQs

How can I use "being able to engage" in a sentence?

"Being able to engage" is used to describe the capacity or opportunity to interact with something. For example, "Being able to engage in sustained shared thinking with a child was recognised as a key skill."

What are some alternatives to "being able to engage"?

You can use alternatives like "capable of interacting", "having the capacity to interact", or "able to participate" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "being able to engage" or "able to engage"?

Both "being able to engage" and "able to engage" are grammatically correct. "Being able to engage" emphasizes the process or state of being capable, while "able to engage" simply states the capability. The choice depends on the nuance you want to convey.

What does "being able to engage" imply?

The phrase implies not just the ability but also the possibility or opportunity to participate or interact meaningfully. It suggests a level of readiness and suitability for interaction.