engaging him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "engaging him" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of involving or attracting someone's attention or participation in a conversation or activity. Example: "The speaker was successful in engaging him during the presentation, making him more interested in the topic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The Blackhawks also took a different tack with Chara, engaging him rather than running from him.

The New York Times - Sports

Whereupon Mrs. Adele Rand, who owns Clem, lost no time in engaging him.

The New Yorker

I have a good feel for engaging him, but he doesn't need it".

The New York Times - Sports

He also learns from another member of the team that the computer had been engaging him in gnomic philosophical dialogue and hinting that it thinks it's alive.

The New Yorker

After feeding Anthony, the Knicks went straight to work on Hibbert by engaging him in a number of pick-and-rolls in the middle of the court.

The New York Times - Sports

But when asked directly about Mr. Perry's record of job creation in Texas, Mr. Romney opted against engaging him directly, instead focusing on his own background.

The New York Times

He appointed Mr Williams knowing, even hoping, that this was an archbishop who would relish engaging him in theological and intellectual debate.

The Economist

Later she was more of a Bond girl, firing imaginary bullets at another dancer, Aaron Mattocks, or engaging him in a slow-motion martial-arts fight.

The New York Times

Sherman showed courage walking up to Sapp and engaging him in a heated discussion because Sapp is not a normal, calm guy.

The New York Times - Sports

Covert operations Western countries, with the US in the lead, could make life difficult for Gaddafi in a number of ways without directly engaging him militarily.

The Guardian - Opinion

Sessions have tended to play out like first dates: guest critics seem more intent on pleasing Ebert than on engaging him.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing interactions, use "engaging him" to convey active involvement or participation. For a more passive scenario, consider "including him."

Common error

Avoid using "engaging him" when the interaction is clearly one-sided or coercive. "Forcing him to participate" is different from genuinely engaging someone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "engaging him" functions primarily as a gerund phrase. It often acts as a noun, describing the action of involving someone. Ludwig examples show it used to describe drawing someone into conversation, debate, or even physical confrontation, which confirms that the phrase describe an action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Wiki

13%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "engaging him" is a grammatically sound and frequently used gerund phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig. It describes the action of actively involving someone in a conversation, activity, or even a conflict. Ludwig examples and the source analysis show it's most commonly found in news and media contexts, maintaining a generally neutral and professional tone. To ensure accuracy, use "engaging him" when describing active involvement, and avoid it in situations where the interaction is coercive.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

involving him

This alternative directly replaces "engaging" with a synonym, focusing on the act of inclusion.

interacting with him

This alternative emphasizes the reciprocal nature of the interaction.

getting him involved

This emphasizes the process of making him a participant.

drawing him in

This alternative suggests attracting him into a conversation or activity.

captivating him

This alternative focuses on holding his attention and interest.

conversing with him

This highlights the act of having a conversation.

having a dialogue with him

More formal, emphasizes structured conversation.

compelling him

This alternative suggests influencing or persuading him.

befriending him

Highlights building a friendly relationship, often as a precursor to other actions.

addressing him

Focuses on initiating communication.

FAQs

How can I use "engaging him" in a sentence?

You can use "engaging him" to describe the act of involving someone in a conversation, activity, or conflict. For example, "The speaker was successful in engaging him during the presentation."

What can I say instead of "engaging him"?

You can use alternatives like "involving him", "interacting with him", or "drawing him in" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "engaging him" or "to engage him"?

"Engaging him" is typically used as a gerund phrase, while "to engage him" is an infinitive phrase. The correct choice depends on the grammatical structure of your sentence. For example, "The goal was engaging him in a discussion" versus "The goal was to engage him in a discussion."

What's the difference between "engaging him" and "befriending him"?

"Engaging him" refers to involving someone in a specific activity or conversation, while "befriending him" suggests building a friendly relationship over time. The first is about the immediate interaction, and the second about the longer term relationship.