engaged to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "engaged to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone is formally committed to marry another person. Example: "After dating for two years, Sarah and Tom are now engaged to be married."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He is engaged to be married.

The New Yorker

and he is engaged to be married.

The New York Times - Sports

He was, however, engaged to someone else.

The New Yorker

"I was engaged to everybody," he said.

The New York Times

Lucien was engaged to their daughter.

The New Yorker

Phil is engaged to Carlile's sister.

The New Yorker

Well, I'm engaged to be harassed".

Independent

This cannot be! — engaged to Mr. Darcy!

The New Yorker

She had been engaged to Mr. Brustein.

The New York Times

"Jamie here is engaged to her girlfriend".

The New Yorker

Valentine was engaged to Nevers.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "engaged to", ensure the context clearly indicates a formal agreement to marry, avoiding ambiguity with other forms of engagement (e.g., "engaged in" a task).

Common error

Avoid using "engaged to" in contexts where you mean "involved in" or "participating in". "Engaged to" specifically refers to a marriage agreement, not general involvement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "engaged to" functions as a predicative adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate a state of betrothal or commitment to marry. Ludwig AI shows that the phrase is used to describe someone's marital status.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "engaged to" is a grammatically correct and widely used expression to denote a formal agreement to marry someone. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and correctness in written English. It is most commonly found in News & Media sources. When using the phrase, ensure the context is clear and that you are accurately conveying a commitment to marriage, distinguishing it from other forms of involvement. Consider alternatives like "betrothed to" or "promised in marriage to" for a more formal tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

betrothed to

Formal synonym emphasizing a formal agreement to marry.

committed to marry

Highlights the commitment aspect of engagement.

promised in marriage to

Highlights the act of promising marriage.

intended to marry

Focuses on the intention to get married.

set to marry

Indicates an upcoming marriage.

slated to wed

Formal way of stating a planned marriage.

going to wed

Informal way of saying someone will marry.

planning to marry

Describes the active planning stage of getting married.

about to be married to

Emphasizes the imminence of marriage.

in a relationship with

General term for being romantically involved, less specific than engaged.

FAQs

What does it mean to be "engaged to" someone?

Being "engaged to" someone means you have formally agreed to marry them. It's a promise to enter into marriage and typically involves a proposal and acceptance.

What can I say instead of "engaged to"?

You can use alternatives like "betrothed to", "promised in marriage to", or "set to marry", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "engaged with" instead of "engaged to" when referring to marriage?

No, "engaged with" is not the correct phrase when referring to marriage. "Engaged to" specifically indicates a formal agreement to marry someone. "Engaged with" implies involvement or participation in something, not a marital commitment.

What's the difference between "dating" and being "engaged to" someone?

"Dating" is a casual relationship where two people are exploring romantic compatibility. Being "engaged to" someone is a formal commitment to marry, signifying a deeper level of commitment and future plans together.