engaged not to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "engaged not to" is not correct in standard written English.
It seems to be an attempt to convey a commitment or promise not to do something, but it lacks clarity and proper structure. Example: "She was engaged not to reveal the secret, but she couldn't keep it to herself."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

A detailed and constantly changing online content plan, social media and incentives such as tickets to local amenities, keep the players engaged – not to mention the sense of competition.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The way to get more is to engage, not to play party politics, he says.

The Guardian

But the way to get more is to engage, not to stand up and play party politics.

The Guardian

"We have events planned to inform, enlighten and engage — not to obstruct," said Michael Grosse, a 27-year-old multimedia producer from Newmarket, N.H., who has worked with Occupy New Hampshire since last fall.

The New York Times

Via Erik Loomis comes this report of a university engaging, not to put too fine a point on it, in the world's oldest profession.

Los Angeles Times

Aboriginal leadership is always ready and willing to engage with government but wants to be engaged, not ordered or dictated to.

The Guardian - Opinion

Engaged, not engaged.

The New York Times - Sports

Be engaged, not nosy.

WikiHow

To engage or not to engage?

The Guardian

To engage or not to engage, that is the question – and we heard passionate arguments from both sides (and even more from you readers in the comments).

The Guardian

According to Ajzen [ 20], behavioral intention is the motivation or desire for someone to engage or not to engage in a behavior.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Instead of using "engaged not to", opt for clearer and more conventional phrases like "committed not to" or "promised not to" to ensure your meaning is easily understood.

Common error

Avoid using "engaged not to" when you intend to convey a commitment or instruction against a certain action. This phrase can be unclear; using alternatives like "committed not to" clarifies your intended meaning and enhances readability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "engaged not to" functions as an attempt to express a commitment or agreement to avoid a specific action. However, as Ludwig AI points out, this construction is non-standard and lacks the clarity of more conventional phrases.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

31%

Science

29%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "engaged not to" is an unconventional construction that attempts to express a commitment or agreement against doing something. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's not considered grammatically correct in standard written English and can lack clarity. It appears across various sources, including News & Media and Science, but its frequency is relatively uncommon. For clearer and more effective communication, it is advisable to use alternative phrases such as "committed not to", "promised not to", or "agreed not to" to ensure your intended meaning is easily understood. Using these alternatives will improve clarity and credibility in both formal and informal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Committed not to

Emphasizes a firm decision or promise against performing an action.

Promised not to

Highlights a verbal or formal assurance of abstaining from something.

Agreed not to

Suggests a mutual understanding or consensus to avoid a particular action.

Undertook not to

Implies a formal or official commitment to refrain from something.

Bound not to

Conveys a sense of obligation or legal constraint against taking a certain action.

Pledged not to

Indicates a solemn or public vow to avoid something.

Vowed not to

Similar to pledged, but often carries a more personal or emotional weight.

Guaranteed not to

Offers an assurance or warranty that something will not occur.

Ensured not to

Implies steps have been taken to prevent something from happening.

Made sure not to

Highlights the effort to actively avoid a specific action.

FAQs

What does "engaged not to" mean?

The phrase "engaged not to" is not a standard English construction. It seems to be an attempt to convey a commitment or promise not to do something. However, it's better to use alternatives like "committed not to" or "promised not to" for clarity.

How can I use "committed not to" in a sentence?

You can use "committed not to" to indicate a firm decision to avoid doing something. For example, "She was committed not to reveal the secret."

Is "engaged not to" grammatically correct?

No, "engaged not to" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. It's advisable to use clearer alternatives such as "agreed not to" or "undertook not to".

What are some alternatives to "engaged not to"?

Some alternatives to "engaged not to" include "promised not to", "agreed not to", or "committed not to", depending on the specific context and intended meaning.