indulge in

USAGE SUMMARY

"indulge in" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to engaging in pleasurable activities. For example, "I plan to indulge in a hot bath and a good book tonight."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Politicians indulge in "optimal obfuscation".

The Economist

Indulge in your crafty side!

Cornell University

Does she indulge in any model behaviour?

Independent

This Germany does not indulge in experiments.

The New York Times

Animals also indulge in substance abuse.

The New York Times - Science

Let's indulge in a few hypotheticals.

The New York Times

ANGELA MERKEL does not indulge in melodrama.

The Economist

The master did not indulge in imitation.

The New York Times - Arts

T.T.: What do you indulge in?

The New York Times

We all indulge in it.

The Times

What do you indulge in?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "indulge in" when you want to convey a sense of allowing yourself or someone else to enjoy something pleasurable, often something that is considered a treat or luxury. For instance, "After a long week, I plan to "indulge in" a relaxing spa day".

Common error

While "indulge in" is perfectly acceptable in many contexts, avoid overusing it in formal or professional writing. Consider using more neutral alternatives like "participate in" or "engage in" when a more formal tone is required to maintain an objective and serious tone, especially when writing to people with diverse cultures and languages.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "indulge in" functions as a phrasal verb, indicating the act of allowing oneself to enjoy something pleasurable. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English, supported by numerous examples of usage across diverse source types.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "indulge in" is a common and grammatically sound phrasal verb used to express the act of enjoying something pleasurable. As Ludwig AI points out, it is widely used across various contexts, from news and media to academic writing. While generally neutral to informal, it's important to consider the audience and purpose of your writing when choosing between "indulge in" and more formal alternatives. Remember to use it to convey a sense of pleasure and enjoyment, and avoid overusing it in contexts that require a more objective tone. Alternatives such as "treat yourself to" or "revel in" offer subtle variations in meaning and formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

treat yourself to

Focuses on the act of providing oneself with something special or enjoyable as a treat.

revel in

Emphasizes the enjoyment and delight taken in something, often with a sense of exuberance.

delight in

Highlights the pleasure and satisfaction derived from something.

savor

Implies a slow and appreciative enjoyment of something, often something sensory like food or drink.

partake in

Suggests participation or involvement in an activity, often with a connotation of sharing or joining in.

give yourself over to

Implies a complete surrender to a feeling or activity.

immerse yourself in

Suggests becoming deeply involved or absorbed in something.

be absorbed in

Highlights the state of being completely engaged and focused on something.

engage in

A more neutral alternative, simply indicating participation in an activity.

yield to

Implies a reluctant or yielding submission to a desire or temptation.

FAQs

How can I use "indulge in" in a sentence?

"Indulge in" is typically followed by a noun or gerund (verb ending in -ing) that represents the activity or thing you are enjoying. For example, "I like to "indulge in" a good book on weekends" or "She decided to "indulge in" a slice of chocolate cake".

What are some synonyms for "indulge in"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "treat yourself to", "revel in", or "delight in".

Is it correct to say "indulge into" instead of "indulge in"?

No, the correct preposition to use with "indulge" in this context is "in". "Indulge into" is grammatically incorrect. Always use "indulge in".

What's the difference between "indulge in" and "engage in"?

"Engage in" is a more neutral term that simply means to participate in something. "Indulge in" implies a sense of pleasure and enjoyment, often with a hint of excess or luxury.