engage in

USAGE SUMMARY

"engage in" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to express involvement in a particular activity or situation. For example, "The young couple decided to engage in a year-long road trip across the United States."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I engage in dialogue.

The New York Times

Do customers engage in conversation?

Independent

Both sides engage in storytelling.

The New Yorker

We don't engage in terror.

The New Yorker

They will engage in criminality.

BBC

Don't engage in them!

WikiHow

Do not engage in conversation.

WikiHow

Don't engage in false advertising.

WikiHow

Don't engage in self harm.

WikiHow

Don't engage in "insider trading".

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

to engage. in small talk.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "engage in", ensure that the activity following 'in' is specific and clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For instance, instead of saying 'They engage in activities', specify 'They "engage in" community service projects'.

Common error

While "engage in" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it, especially in formal writing. Opt for more precise verbs like 'participate', 'conduct', or 'undertake' to add nuance and sophistication to your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "engage in" functions primarily as a verb phrase indicating active involvement or participation in a specific activity or action. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Wiki

50%

News & Media

43%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "engage in" is a grammatically correct and commonly used verb phrase that indicates active participation or involvement in a specific activity. It appears frequently in diverse contexts such as Wiki entries and News & Media sources. According to Ludwig AI, "engage in" expresses involvement in a particular activity or situation. While versatile, being mindful of potentially more precise alternatives for elevated levels of formality is beneficial. Best practice involves making sure the subsequent activity remains clear. Alternatives include "participate in", "take part in" and "get involved in".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

participate in

Focuses more directly on the action of taking part in something.

take part in

Emphasizes the act of joining or being involved in an event or activity.

get involved in

Suggests a deeper level of commitment and investment in the activity.

immerse oneself in

Indicates a complete and thorough involvement, often suggesting a loss of awareness of other things.

dedicate oneself to

Implies a strong commitment and focused effort towards a specific goal or activity.

devote time to

Highlights the investment of time and energy into an activity.

be active in

Suggests consistent and ongoing involvement in a particular area or activity.

occupy oneself with

Indicates that one's time and attention are being taken up by a certain activity.

busy oneself with

Emphasizes the act of keeping oneself occupied and active with something.

involve oneself in

Highlights the act of personally causing your involvement in something

FAQs

How to use "engage in" in a sentence?

You can use "engage in" to describe participating or being involved in an activity. For example, "Students should "engage in" extracurricular activities" or "The company decided to "engage in" a new marketing strategy".

What can I say instead of "engage in"?

You can use alternatives like "participate in", "take part in", or "get involved in", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "engage on" instead of "engage in"?

No, the correct preposition to use with "engage" in this context is "in". "Engage on" is not grammatically correct in standard English. You should always use "engage in" when referring to participating in an activity.

What's the difference between "engage in" and "participate in"?

While both phrases mean to take part in something, "engage in" often suggests a more active and involved participation, whereas "participate in" can simply mean to be present or to contribute in some way.