engage less

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "engage less" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing reducing involvement or participation in an activity or situation. Example: "To improve productivity, we need to engage less in unnecessary meetings."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

"Banks with highly impaired loan portfolios are likely to engage less in new lending," the I.M.F.

The New York Times

Quail-deep-throating David Cameron and his sidekicks always target young people, knowing they vote less, engage less and are just more broken and jaded.

The Guardian

Mr Sarkozy suggests another answer: less abstract teaching, which might engage less academic pupils.Mr Sarkozy will find it hard to translate his ambitious ideas into concrete plans.

The Economist

The number of people who are hostile to trade and immigration has risen sharply, as has the number who think that America should engage less in world affairs.

The Economist

"Until it secures A.G.M.A.'s consent, N.Y.C.B. may not conduct any tours which engage less than the entire company," the union said, adding that it mailed notice of its complaint to the company on Monday.

The New York Times

If women acknowledged rather than denied their envy and if they acted out their competition directly, not indirectly, they might hold fewer grudges, engage less in slander and shunning, bond with their competitors and encourage their allies in new and productive alliances.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

When previously working in health and care commissioning, Natalie utilised innovative outreach approaches to engage less-heard groups of young people.

The Guardian

These days, Tarantino seems engaged less in self-parody than in urgent self-comfort.

The New Yorker

They are easily worried, less socially engaged, less interested in risk-taking, and more rigid and poorer in communication.

The Guardian

But it also implies a shift in course for humanitarianism, toward a route more politically engaged, less neutral.

The New York Times - Magazine

One suspects this is irrelevant to Bellow, who is engaged less in a literary act than in one of filial rebellion.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for brevity in instructions or explanations, "engage less" is useful, for instance, "To avoid distractions, engage less with social media during work hours."

Common error

While acceptable, "engage less" might sound informal in certain professional contexts. Opt for more formal alternatives like "reduce involvement" or "decrease participation" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "engage less" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating a reduction in involvement or participation. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically correct, used to advise or describe a decrease in interaction or activity.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "engage less" is a grammatically sound and versatile verb phrase used to suggest a decrease in participation or involvement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and widely applicable. Predominantly found in scientific and news contexts, it maintains a neutral register, making it suitable for various communication styles. While generally acceptable, it may be beneficial to choose more formal alternatives like "reduce involvement" in professional settings. "Engage less" serves as a concise way to advise or describe a reduction in interaction, promoting focus and efficiency.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intervene less

Focuses specifically on reducing active intervention or interference in a situation.

participate less

Highlights a reduction in active participation or involvement in activities.

interact less

Emphasizes reduced interaction or communication with others.

initiate less

Focuses on reducing the act of starting or beginning something.

collaborate less

Specifically refers to decreasing collaborative efforts.

cooperate less

Highlights a reduction in working together or assisting each other.

speak less

Emphasizes reducing the amount of talking or verbal communication.

affect less

Focuses on diminishing the impact or influence on something.

mobilize less

Highlights a reduction in efforts to rally or organize.

appeal less

Highlights a reduction in the attractiveness or attractiveness.

FAQs

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

You can use "engage less" to indicate a reduction in participation or involvement in an activity. For example, "To be more productive, I need to "engage less" in social media during work hours."

What are some alternatives to "engage less"?

Alternatives include "participate less", "interact less", or "reduce involvement", depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "engage less"?

Yes, "engage less" is grammatically correct. It follows standard English grammar rules for combining a verb ("engage") with an adverb of degree ("less").

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

"Engage less" is slightly broader and can refer to any form of involvement, while "participate less" specifically refers to taking part in an activity. They are often interchangeable, but "participate less" is more suitable when referring to specific activities or events.