did not engage

USAGE SUMMARY

"did not engage" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that someone didn't participate in an activity. For example: He did not engage in the discussion despite sitting in on the meeting.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Egypt did not engage in such discussions.

The Guardian

Fiorina scowled, but did not engage further.

The Guardian

Mr Monjack did not engage in any alleged scuffles.

Independent

This time, the peacekeepers observed but did not engage.

The New York Times

But I did not engage them in the debate.

Independent

The company has said it did not engage in fraud.

The New York Times

Republican officials said they did not engage in push-polling.

The New York Times

He did not engage in the usual chitchat.

The New York Times

Mr. Matasar said the school did not engage in arbitrage.

The New York Times

"But they did not engage in any destructive action".

The New York Times

Smiley, in her usual way, did not engage.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "did not engage", ensure that the context clearly indicates what the subject refrained from participating in. Specificity enhances clarity.

Common error

While "did not engage" is versatile, avoid using it in excessively informal contexts where simpler phrases like "didn't join" or "stayed out of" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "did not engage" functions as a negative verb phrase, indicating the absence of participation or involvement in a specified action or activity. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically sound and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

32%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "did not engage" is a grammatically correct and versatile phrase used to indicate a lack of participation or involvement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is commonly found in news, scientific, and general writing. While suitable for various contexts, it leans towards a neutral and slightly formal register. When using "did not engage", ensure clarity by specifying the activity or situation from which the subject abstained. Consider related phrases like "refrained from participating" or "declined to involve themselves" for nuanced alternatives. This phrase presents no usage errors and provides a reliable way to express non-participation across a range of communication scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

refrained from participating

This phrase highlights a conscious decision to abstain from taking part in something.

chose not to participate

This emphasizes the element of choice in not getting involved.

declined to involve themselves

This suggests a more formal refusal to be included.

abstained from involvement

This emphasizes the act of voluntarily holding back from participation.

remained uninvolved

This indicates a state of not being connected or implicated.

took no part in

This is a straightforward way of saying someone didn't participate.

did not take part

Very similar to 'took no part in', slightly more common.

avoided participation

This suggests active avoidance of getting involved.

sidestepped involvement

This implies skillfully avoiding participation.

passed on the opportunity to participate

This focuses on declining a specific chance to engage.

FAQs

How can I use "did not engage" in a sentence?

Use "did not engage" to indicate a lack of participation or involvement in a specific activity or situation. For example: "The company "did not engage" in fraudulent activities."

What are some alternatives to "did not engage"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "refrained from participating", "declined to involve themselves", or "remained uninvolved".

Is it better to say "did not engage" or "didn't engage"?

"Didn't engage" is a more informal contraction of "did not engage". The choice depends on the formality of your writing. "Did not engage" is generally preferred in formal or professional contexts.

What's the difference between "did not engage" and "did not interact"?

"Did not engage" implies a general lack of participation, while "did not interact" specifically refers to a lack of communication or reciprocal action. "Did not engage" is broader and can encompass situations where interaction isn't necessarily expected.