engage in something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "engage in something" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to participating in an activity or undertaking a task. Example: "The students were encouraged to engage in community service to develop their social skills."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

And they do engage in something that looks like warfare.

The Economist

Other men — me, for example — might be driven to engage in something even worse: sexless fidelity.

The New York Times

One of his insights is that people often engage in something called "identity-protective cognition".

The New Yorker

To engage in something primal as opposed to the tinselly snares and trashy delusions of urban daily life.

Independent

He added: "Now people can engage in something as epic as a waterfall, see the wind and feel its gravity.

The New York Times - Arts

"Focus should be on developing the creativity and innovative skills of these youth to engage in something worthwhile".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

China has not been engaging in "trade" with us, they have been engaging in something else entirely...

Huffington Post

As a novelist, you are engaged in something analogous.

The New Yorker

Their policy is to keep the Americans engaged in something the Europeans can live with.

The New Yorker

Qatar is engaged in something of a museum arms race with the nearby emirate of Abu Dhabi.

The New York Times

"Once he is engaged in something, he's a pretty passionate guy".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Prefer "engage in something" over more passive alternatives when describing proactive efforts or deliberate actions taken to accomplish a specific goal or purpose.

Common error

While versatile, "engage in something" can become repetitive in formal or academic writing. Vary your language by substituting it with more precise verbs that specify the nature of the engagement, such as "conduct", "perform", or "execute", depending on the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "engage in something" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating participation or involvement in an action, activity, or process. Ludwig confirms its correct and usable nature. It serves to show active involvement, as seen in the examples provided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "engage in something" is a versatile and commonly used phrase indicating active participation or involvement in an activity. According to Ludwig, the phrase is both grammatically correct and widely applicable. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, including news, science, and formal communications. While alternatives like ""participate in something"" or "get involved in something" can add nuance, "engage in something" remains a reliable choice for conveying active involvement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

participate in something

Replaces "engage" with "participate", focusing on the action of taking part.

take part in something

Similar to "participate", but emphasizes being a part of a larger activity.

get involved in something

Suggests a deeper level of commitment and activity than merely "engaging".

immerse oneself in something

Implies a complete dedication and focus on the activity.

dedicate oneself to something

Highlights the commitment and effort invested in the activity.

undertake something

Focuses on the initiation and execution of a task or project.

embark on something

Suggests starting a new and potentially challenging venture.

occupy oneself with something

Emphasizes the use of time and attention for a particular activity.

invest time in something

Focuses on the allocation of time and resources into a specific activity.

busy oneself with something

Indicates being actively occupied with a task, often to avoid idleness.

FAQs

How can I use "engage in something" in a sentence?

You can use "engage in something" to describe participating in an activity. For example, "The students were encouraged to "participate in something" after class".

What are some alternatives to "engage in something"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "take part in something", "get involved in something", or ""participate in something"".

Is "engage in something" formal or informal?

"Engage in something" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal alternatives may be preferable in academic or professional writing.

What's the difference between "engage in something" and "get involved in something"?

"Engage in something" generally refers to participating in an activity, while "get involved in something" often implies a deeper level of commitment and activity.