can be engaged

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'can be engaged' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to indicate potential or possibility. For example, "The students can be engaged in various activities throughout summer break."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But the point is engagement -- these folks can be engaged by all types of theater.

Huffington Post

A dilemma arises as to how overweight youth can be engaged for interventions without further impairing their well-being [ 22].

BMC Public Health

"But we can be engaged," she said.

The New York Times - Magazine

Essentially, service units are enterprise capabilities that can be engaged in a variety of enterprise pursuits.

Building the Agile Enterprise with SOA, BPM and MPM

But young people can be engaged if they feel the issues concern them.

The Guardian - Opinion

Children can be "engaged" to marry from birth, so FMPOs have no minimum age restrictions.

The Guardian

No minister can seek to prevent all cuts, but they can be engaged and active.

The Guardian - Books

Legitimate and beneficial opportunities can be engaged in that differ from traditional lecture courses.

Cornell University

This chapter examines the USB Switchblade to uncover the clever yet mischievous usages this device can be engaged in.

Seven Deadliest USB Attacks

Skype happens to have a very large pool of users who can be engaged with multiple services besides voice.

The Guardian - Tech

Employment is just another environment in which the disfigured can be engaged in a discourse with their fears and anxieties.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "can be engaged", ensure the context clearly indicates what or who is doing the engaging. This helps avoid ambiguity and strengthens the sentence's clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "can be engaged" excessively in passive voice, which can make your writing sound weak. Opt for active voice where possible to create more direct and impactful sentences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can be engaged" functions as a modal verb construction expressing possibility or potential. It indicates that something or someone has the capacity to be involved, activated, or utilized in a specific way. Ludwig confirms this usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

38%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

12%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "can be engaged" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to denote the potential for involvement, activation, or utilization. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread usage. Predominantly found in scientific and news media contexts, it maintains a neutral to formal register. While correct, writers should be mindful of overuse in passive constructions and consider active voice alternatives for stronger impact. By understanding its nuances and potential substitutes like "can be involved" or "can be activated", you can wield this phrase effectively in diverse writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can be involved

This alternative focuses on participation or inclusion in an activity or situation, shifting the emphasis from activation to direct involvement.

can be activated

This alternative highlights the potential for something to be set in motion or made operative, emphasizing the initiation of a process.

can be utilized

This option underscores the possibility of employing something for a specific purpose, focusing on the practical application or function.

can be employed

Similar to "can be utilized", this highlights the potential for putting something to work or using it in a particular context.

can be connected

This alternative emphasizes the possibility of establishing a link or relationship between elements, focusing on the joining or association of things.

can be triggered

This option focuses on the potential for something to be initiated or set off by a specific event or condition, emphasizing the cause-and-effect relationship.

can be harnessed

This alternative highlights the possibility of controlling and using something, especially natural resources, for productive purposes.

can be drawn into

This suggests the possibility of being pulled or attracted into something, often implying a gradual or subtle process of involvement.

can be made part of

This option emphasizes the potential for including something as an integral component or element of a larger whole.

can be integrated

This focuses on the possibility of combining or blending something into a unified whole, highlighting the merging of different elements.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "can be engaged" to sound more active?

Consider using phrases like "can involve", "can activate", or "can utilize" depending on the context. These alternatives often create a more direct and impactful tone.

Is it always appropriate to use "can be engaged" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "can be engaged" might sometimes sound passive. In formal contexts, ensure it aligns with the desired tone and clarity, and consider stronger verbs where appropriate.

What are some common synonyms for "can be engaged"?

Depending on the context, suitable synonyms might include "can be involved", "can be activated", or "can be utilized".

How does the meaning of "can be engaged" change depending on the context?

The meaning of "can be engaged" shifts based on the subject. It can imply involvement, activation, or utilization. Understanding the context is essential for accurate interpretation.