former engagement

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'former engagement' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase when you are referring to something that was previously scheduled, such as a meeting, event, or activity. For example, "I'm sorry I can't make the party, I have a former engagement that I need to attend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

The SEC said it barred Richard Scalzo, the former engagement partner on the Tyco audit for accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers, from practicing before the commission.

Forbes

Robby thinks Amanda's former engagement is a red flag.

Huffington Post

It is stronger to the degree that militants' former engagement in violence lent them greater significance than the new, moderate, means they are now afforded.

Huffington Post

Kurtz was fired from the Beast after he penned an erroneous column that claimed that NBA center Collins — who recently came out as gay — was not forthcoming about his former engagement to a woman.

Huffington Post

Most of the guerrilla troops who demobilized individually and were tired of fighting reported both an attraction to violence as well as increased trauma symptoms, owing to their former engagement in violent behaviour.

Conflict and Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Some 33 MPs signed up to a parliamentary motion tabled by former digital engagement minister Tom Watson expressing "deep concern" at the prospect of the two radio stations being shut down.

The Guardian

"Rachel was one of the first to see the value in the collaboration [between FoE and B&Q ] but she always asked the hard questions," says James Cole, former business engagement manager at FoE. "She has a business mind and an environmental conscience – a vital confluence if we are to make progress on corporate sustainability".

The Guardian

While the former describes engagement from a strategic standpoint, the latter suggests that individuals seek management positions out of interest and motivation for the task.

BMC Health Services Research

As word travels down the small town grapevine of former classmates' engagements and weddings and babies, I am not intimidated by these mainstream markers of "successful adulthood".

Huffington Post

"Trump has an appalling ignorance of the current world, of history, of previous American engagement, of what former Presidents thought and did," Geoffrey Kemp, who worked at the Pentagon during the Ford Administration and at the National Security Council during the Reagan Administration, reflected.

The New Yorker

Where the former exemplifies emotional engagement, the latter is defined by emotional disengagement.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "former engagement" to clearly denote a prior commitment, relationship, or activity that is no longer current. This helps avoid confusion with present or future obligations.

Common error

Avoid using "former engagement" without providing enough context about what the engagement was. Always specify what you're referring to, such as a "former engagement as CEO" or a "former engagement to a charitable cause".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "former engagement" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "former" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "engagement". It specifies that the engagement is no longer current or active. Ludwig AI provides examples where it describes previous roles, commitments, or relationships.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "former engagement" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to denote a previous involvement, commitment, or role. Ludwig AI analysis indicates the phrase is accurate and appropriate for written English. While its frequency is relatively rare, it appears consistently in neutral to professional contexts such as news and scientific articles, as shown by Ludwig's examples. When using this phrase, ensure the context is clear and specific, specifying the nature of the engagement to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as /s/previous+commitment or /s/prior+involvement can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

previous commitment

Focuses on the obligation associated with the engagement.

prior involvement

Emphasizes the act of being involved before.

past agreement

Highlights the formal aspect of the engagement as an agreement.

earlier arrangement

Suggests a pre-planned or scheduled event or meeting.

previous arrangement

Highlights a prior scheduling or plan.

prior obligation

Stresses the mandatory nature of a previous engagement.

past dedication

Underscores the commitment and focus associated with the former engagement.

former dedication

Focuses on a past commitment or loyalty to something.

earlier undertaking

Emphasizes the initiative or project that was previously engaged in.

prior undertaking

Highlights a previous project or activity.

FAQs

How can I use "former engagement" in a sentence?

You can use "former engagement" to refer to a past commitment or involvement, as in: "Due to his /s/previous+commitment, he couldn't attend the meeting".

What's a good alternative to "former engagement"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like /s/previous+commitment or /s/prior+involvement instead of "former engagement".

Is it correct to say "past engagement" instead of "former engagement"?

While "past engagement" isn't incorrect, "former engagement" is generally clearer and more specific when referring to a role, relationship, or obligation that no longer exists. /s/past+engagement might refer to an event.

What's the difference between "former engagement" and "previous commitment"?

"Former engagement" typically refers to a broader involvement or association, whereas /s/previous+commitment emphasizes a specific obligation that was undertaken. The best choice depends on the specific context you're describing.