enlist you

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "enlist you" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to recruit or engage someone for a specific purpose or task. Example: "We would like to enlist you in our volunteer program to help with community outreach."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Does admiring his work enlist you in his struggles?

The New Yorker

"I'm here to enlist you in a fight," said Mr. Obama, tieless and in shirt-sleeves.

The New York Times

Addressing the crowd, he said: "What I really want to do is try and enlist you.

The Guardian

The best comics enlist you to take accountability for who you are, whether you like it or not.

The New Yorker

And to enlist you, of course, in the attempt to carve out that slender but decisive political margin.

The New York Times - Magazine

In a video recorded by a fan, the Sherlock actor can be seen addressing the crowd, saying: "What I really want to do is try and enlist you.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

For heaven's sake, when you see the enemy attacking, you pick up the pitchfork, and you enlist everybody you see.

The New Yorker

You see, the thing is, when you enlist -- you already expect and accept a few truths.

Huffington Post

"You don't re-enlist, you're turning your back on a sure thing," the sergeant major told him, unleashing a protracted argument for a life in the army.

The New York Times

Administrators routinely enlisted you in fundraising campaigns and -- if you served on the board of a public institution -- might have asked you to lobby legislators to support new building projects, curricular programs, salary enhancements, and student aid".

Huffington Post

Find a supportive network: Friends and family can be a great resource in keeping you motivated, so enlist those you trust to help you feel positive about the change.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "enlist you" when you specifically want to engage someone actively in a cause, task, or mission, implying their direct contribution is valuable.

Common error

Avoid using "enlist you" in casual conversations or extremely informal settings, as it can sound overly formal or contrived. Consider using simpler alternatives like "get you involved" or "ask for your help" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "enlist you" functions as a directive, aiming to engage or recruit the listener/reader into a particular activity, cause, or organization. It seeks to secure their participation and support. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "enlist you" is a grammatically correct phrase used to actively engage someone in a specific task or cause. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While versatile, it's more appropriate for neutral to formal contexts, such as news articles, public speeches, or calls to action, and less suited for casual conversations. Alternatives like "recruit you" or "involve you" can be considered based on the desired tone and level of commitment. The phrase aims to persuade individuals to actively participate and contribute towards a shared goal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Recruit you

Directly suggests formally engaging someone for a specific task or role.

Involve you

Simple and direct way to indicate including someone in something.

Request your involvement

Formal way of asking someone to participate.

Engage your participation

More formal, emphasizing active involvement in something.

Invite you to participate

Politely encourages someone to join or take part in something.

Get you involved

General way to suggest incorporating someone into an activity or project.

Secure your assistance

Emphasizes obtaining help, often in a formal or professional context.

Bring you on board

Idiomatic phrase suggesting welcoming someone to a team or project.

Ask for your support

Focuses on requesting help or endorsement for a cause or activity.

Call upon you

Suggests making a formal request for someone's help or involvement.

FAQs

How can I use "enlist you" in a sentence?

You can use "enlist you" when you want to actively involve someone in a specific task or cause. For example, "I'm here to "enlist you" in a fight for better education." or "We would like to "enlist you" in our volunteer program."

What can I say instead of "enlist you"?

You can use alternatives like "recruit you", "involve you", or "engage you" depending on the context. Each alternative implies a slightly different level of commitment and formality.

Is "enlist you" formal or informal?

"Enlist you" has a neutral to slightly formal tone. While not overly stiff, it's best suited for situations where you are making a direct and somewhat significant request for someone's involvement. Simpler phrases are more appropriate for casual contexts.

What's the difference between "enlist you" and "ask for your help"?

"Enlist you" implies a more active and committed involvement, often in a coordinated effort or towards a specific goal. "Ask for your help" is a more general request for assistance, without necessarily implying a long-term commitment or deep involvement.