have engaged in

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have engaged in" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is used to describe an action or activity that someone has participated in or been involved with in the past. Example: "The company's CEO has engaged in numerous philanthropic projects over the years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Low engagers were not known to have engaged in any initiatives.

BMJ Open

We have engaged in self-recrimination.

The New York Times - Food

Other countries have engaged in similar arrangements.

The New York Times - Sports

Homosapiens have engaged in humour for thousands of years.

Independent

Both companies have engaged in lobbying on international tax rules.

The New York Times

They have engaged in several skirmishes in recent years.

The New York Times

He could have engaged in long negotiations with the Taliban.

The New Yorker

And both have engaged in a nasty war of words.

The New York Times

His parents have engaged in some casual chatter.

The New York Times

We have engaged in the nuclear debate for forty years.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

He has engaged in "verbal..

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have engaged in" to describe a past action or activity with the implication of active participation or involvement. It often suggests a more formal or deliberate undertaking than simpler alternatives.

Common error

While grammatically sound, "have engaged in" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "did" or "took part in" when communicating informally.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have engaged in" functions as a verb phrase, indicating that someone has taken part in or been involved in a particular activity. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

41%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have engaged in" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to describe participation in activities, carrying a tone that ranges from neutral to formal. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and widely used across various sources such as News & Media and Science. While appropriate for professional and academic writing, consider using simpler alternatives like "participated" or "took part" for more casual communication. Being mindful of the formality is key to effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have participated in

Replaces "engaged" with "participated", indicating active involvement but with a slightly more formal tone.

have taken part in

Substitutes "engaged" with "taken part", implying involvement in an event or activity, focusing on the act of participation.

have been involved in

Replaces "engaged" with "been involved", suggesting a degree of association or connection to an activity or situation.

have undertaken

Uses "undertaken" in place of "engaged in", emphasizing the commencement and responsibility for a task or project.

have carried out

Replaces "engaged in" with "carried out", highlighting the execution or performance of a task or activity.

have performed

Substitutes "engaged in" with "performed", suggesting the completion of an action or activity, often with a sense of skill or expertise.

have conducted

Uses "conducted" instead of "engaged in", emphasizing the management or organization of an activity or event.

have practiced

Replaces "engaged in" with "practiced", implying repeated or habitual involvement in a skill or activity.

have pursued

Substitutes "engaged in" with "pursued", suggesting a deliberate effort to achieve or engage in a goal or activity.

have practiced

Replaces "engaged in" with "practiced", which focuses more on the repetition and training aspect of the action.

FAQs

How can I use "have engaged in" in a sentence?

Use "have engaged in" to indicate that someone has participated in a specific activity or action. For instance, "The students "have engaged in" various community service projects this year."

What are some alternatives to "have engaged in"?

Alternatives include "have participated in", "have taken part in", or "have been involved in", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more formal to say "have engaged in" or "have participated in"?

"Have engaged in" is generally considered slightly more formal than "have participated in", though both are appropriate for formal writing. The choice depends on the desired tone and context.

When should I use "have engaged in" instead of "did"?

Use "have engaged in" when you want to emphasize the active and deliberate involvement in an activity, whereas "did" is a more general term for completing an action. For example, "They "have engaged in" extensive research" highlights their active participation, compared to "They did some research."