engages to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "engages to" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward or unclear.
It can be used in contexts where someone commits to a task or agreement, but it is better to use more standard expressions. Example: "The company engages to provide support for its customers for a full year."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Mr. Walken, who plays Kitty's Elvis-obsessed cousin Bo, whom she engages to track down Tula, brings Tom Jones's braying hit "Delilah" to a boil in a swiveling bump-and-grind production number.

The New York Times

On a whim, she buys the rundown Windmill Theatre, and on the advice of her solicitor engages to manage it Vivian van Damm (Bob Hoskins), an impresario somewhat down on his luck and affecting a demeanour of exaggerated gentility.

The Guardian - Film

Thurstan's conflicting loyalties are further complicated by his involvement with two women: his high-born childhood sweetheart, now a rich widow, and the provocative and wayward belly dancer of the novel's title, whose troupe he engages to entertain the king.

The New York Times - Books

Take the confusing relationship between Castella (Mr. Bacri), a boorish suburban businessmen hammering out a deal with an Iranian company in Rouen (where the movie was filmed), and Clara (Anne Alvaro), the refined, high-strung actress he engages to give him a crash course in English.

The New York Times

And when you get onto the highway, a clutch engages to connect the gasoline engine and the first electric motor to drive the wheels at sustained high speed.

TechCrunch

It also has processes for applicants, future employees and current employees to request accommodations related to their disabilities, and Twitter engages to reasonably accommodate these requests.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

"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

"Jamie here is engaged to her girlfriend".

The New Yorker

He is engaged to Gloria Bongi Ngema of Durban.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Instead of using the potentially awkward phrase "engages to", opt for stronger and more recognized alternatives like "commits to" or "agrees to" to ensure clarity and grammatical correctness.

Common error

Avoid using "engages to" in formal or professional contexts, as it can sound unnatural or non-idiomatic. Prefer alternatives that clearly convey commitment or agreement without ambiguity, such as "commits to" or "agrees to".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "engages to" functions as a verb phrase indicating commitment or agreement to undertake a specific action. The instances found by Ludwig show it being used to express obligations or intended actions, though Ludwig AI suggests that its usage is not standard.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "engages to" appears in various sources, it is not considered standard English and may sound awkward. Ludwig AI advises that phrases like "commits to" or "agrees to" are generally preferred for clarity and grammatical correctness. Usage analysis indicates that it is more common in news and scientific contexts, but it's crucial to use more conventional alternatives to ensure your writing is clear and easily understood.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

commits to

Indicates a firm decision to do something, offering a more direct and widely accepted alternative.

agrees to

Implies consent or willingness to perform an action, replacing the less common "engages to".

undertakes to

Suggests starting or deciding to do something, providing a formal and precise alternative.

endeavors to

Conveys making an effort or attempting to do something, replacing the less conventional phrasing.

strives to

Indicates persistent effort towards a goal, offering a more dynamic alternative.

dedicates oneself to

Implies focusing one's efforts and resources on a specific purpose, replacing a more direct involvement.

takes on the responsibility to

Suggests a formal acceptance of a duty or task, which may require more involvement or effort.

sets out to

Conveys a clear intention to achieve a specific objective, rather than a simple agreement.

arranges to

Implies making plans or preparations to do something, rather than simply committing.

sets about to

Suggests beginning a task or project, shifting the focus from commitment to initiation.

FAQs

What does "engages to" mean?

While not a standard phrase, "engages to" is sometimes used to mean "commits to" or "agrees to", suggesting an intention or obligation to perform an action. However, it's generally better to use the more common alternatives for clarity.

Is "engages to" grammatically correct?

The phrase "engages to" is not considered standard English and may sound awkward. It's recommended to use more conventional phrases like "commits to" or "agrees to".

What can I say instead of "engages to"?

You can use alternatives like "commits to", "agrees to", or "undertakes to" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "engages to" or "commits to"?

Commits to is generally preferred over "engages to" due to its wider acceptance and clearer meaning. "Engages to" can sound unusual or non-idiomatic in many contexts.