engage conversation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "engage conversation" is not correct in standard written English.
A more appropriate phrase would be "engage in conversation." You can use it when referring to the act of starting or participating in a discussion with someone. Example: "During the meeting, I hope to engage in conversation about our upcoming project."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

To avoid suspicion, when they engage conversation, politely say, "BRB", or something that serves as an excuse to get you away from the computer.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

We've heard from teachers that students are energized by the chance to have a voice and engaged conversation with young people outside their own community.

The New York Times

Thus engendering a social commentary and, at times, politically engaged conversation between musician and listener.

Vice

The result: an engaged conversation about the future of our state(s), our biases and state pride.

Los Angeles Times

T.J.:  I think what came out of it was for a short moment, an engaged conversation on race and class.

Huffington Post

Teachers should do whatever they can to stimulate engaged conversation among students, preferably away from their standard seats.

Huffington Post

Still feeling desirable and having thoughtful, engaging conversations with your kids.

Huffington Post

In fact, friendly debates and disagreements can make for spirited, engaging conversations.

WikiHow

TO the extent George does engage in conversation, much of that conversation centers on the past.

The New York Times

Do customers engage in conversation?

Independent

We then proceed to tweet them to engage in conversation.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the correct phrase "engage in conversation" to denote participating in a discussion. For instance, say, "We should engage in conversation about the new policy" instead of "engage conversation".

Common error

Remember to always include the preposition "in" when using "engage" in the context of conversation. Omitting "in" results in grammatically incorrect phrasing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "engage conversation" is grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI's analysis indicates that the correct form is "engage in conversation", where "engage" functions as a verb requiring the preposition "in" to connect it to the noun "conversation".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the intention behind the phrase "engage conversation" is understandable, Ludwig AI clarifies that the grammatically correct form is "engage in conversation". This correction is crucial for maintaining clarity and credibility in both formal and informal communication. The primary contexts where this phrase appears, though infrequent, span across News & Media, Wiki, and Science. Remember to include the preposition "in" to accurately convey your intended meaning. Examples and suggestions for alternate phrases like "initiate a conversation" or "participate in a conversation" can further enhance your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

initiate a conversation

Focuses on the act of starting a dialogue.

begin a conversation

Similar to 'initiate', but with a slightly more formal tone.

participate in a conversation

Emphasizes involvement rather than initiation.

join a conversation

Highlights entering an existing discussion.

enter into a conversation

More formal way of saying 'join a conversation'.

strike up a conversation

Suggests a casual or spontaneous start.

spark a conversation

Indicates initiating a lively or interesting dialogue.

foster a conversation

Highlights the act of nurturing and encouraging dialogue.

hold a conversation

Focuses on the act of having a discussion.

conduct a conversation

Implies a more structured or purposeful discussion.

FAQs

How should I correctly use the phrase "engage" when talking about conversations?

The correct phrasing is to "engage in conversation", ensuring the inclusion of the preposition "in".

What are some alternatives to "engage in conversation"?

You can use alternatives such as "initiate a conversation", "begin a conversation", or "participate in a conversation".

Is there a difference between "engage in conversation" and "start a conversation"?

While both phrases relate to dialogue, "engage in conversation" implies participation, whereas "start a conversation" focuses on initiating the dialogue.

Why is "engage conversation" considered grammatically incorrect?

The verb "engage" requires the preposition "in" when referring to active involvement in a conversation; without it, the phrase lacks grammatical correctness.