engage to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'engage to' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe entering into a formal agreement with someone. For example, you could say: "She engaged to the company for a five-year contract."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Expect the awful scrum engagement call of "crouch, touch, pause, engage" to be revised and the lack of aimless kicking here to be applauded.

Independent

50's triggered, EU27 will engage to safeguard its interests".

The Guardian

Moving as I prepared…allowing me to engage, to start with my processes".

The Economist

It is a broader reluctance to engage, to assert responsibility, to commit.

The New York Times

"It's a call to action, to listen, to engage, to understand the full impact," he adds.

The New York Times

Diplomacy by Twitter has already begun, with Donald Tusk's "EU27 will engage to safeguard its interests".

The Guardian - Opinion

We will continue to engage to improve the governance of Sports Direct.

The Guardian - Business

If Lester owned a Classic colt, which present day jockey would he engage to ride?

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

"He would have seen Trump as an opportunity to get the LGBTQ community to re-engage, to shake off any complacency".

Huffington Post

They have an obligation to engage -- to inform and enrich public debate.

Huffington Post

There were no significant differences between the groups for engage-to-move (p>0.05).

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "engage to", ensure that the context clearly indicates a commitment or intention to perform the action that follows. For example, "The company will engage to improve its environmental impact" conveys a clear intention.

Common error

Avoid using "engage to" when the intention is merely to explore or consider something. Reserve it for situations where a definitive commitment or agreement is being made. Saying "We will engage to consider the proposal" is weaker than "We will consider the proposal".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "engage to" functions as an infinitive of purpose, indicating the reason or intention behind an action. Ludwig's examples show it commonly connects an entity with a commitment to a subsequent action or goal.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "engage to" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that signifies a formal commitment or intention to perform a specific action. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's most frequently found in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts, highlighting its professional register. While not exceedingly common, with only a handful of examples provided by Ludwig, understanding its proper use – to express commitment rather than mere exploration – is crucial. Consider using related phrases like "undertake to" or "commit to" to enhance clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

undertake to

Focuses on formally committing to an action or responsibility.

endeavor to

Emphasizes making an effort to achieve something.

strive to

Highlights persistent effort and ambition in pursuing a goal.

aim to

Specifies the intention or objective of an action.

seek to

Indicates an attempt or effort to find or achieve something.

aspire to

Implies a high level of ambition and desire.

commit to

Suggests dedication and a binding promise to a cause or action.

dedicate oneself to

Highlights devoting time and energy to a particular purpose.

set out to

Signifies the beginning of an intentional effort to accomplish something.

venture to

Implies taking a risk or daring to do something.

FAQs

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

Use "engage to" when you want to express a formal commitment or agreement to do something. For instance, "The government will "engage to" reduce carbon emissions" demonstrates a promise of action.

What are some alternatives to "engage to"?

You can use alternatives such as "undertake to", "aim to", or "commit to", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "engage in" or "engage to"?

"Engage in" implies participation in an activity (e.g., "engage in conversation"), whereas ""engage to"" suggests a formal commitment or agreement (e.g., "engage to resolve the dispute"). The better choice depends on the intended meaning.

What's the difference between "promise to" and "engage to"?

"Promise to" is a more general declaration of intent, while ""engage to"" often implies a formal agreement or commitment, sometimes within a legal or business context. For example, a company might ""engage to"" certain standards as part of a contract.