is engaged to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is engaged to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone has made a formal commitment to marry another person. Example: "She is engaged to her longtime boyfriend, and they are planning a wedding for next summer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He is engaged to be married.

The New Yorker

and he is engaged to be married.

The New York Times - Sports

"Jamie here is engaged to her girlfriend".

The New Yorker

He is engaged to Gloria Bongi Ngema of Durban.

The New York Times

Meanwhile, Dara is engaged to be married.

The New York Times

Actually, she is engaged to be married.

The Guardian

He is engaged to Kyla Weber, a Canadian estate agent.

Independent

Gittens, who is engaged to another BRB dancer, confirms this.

The Guardian

A lawyer is engaged to discuss the possibility of adoption.

The New York Times

He is engaged to Julia Carey, a former TV producer.

Independent

My daughter is engaged to a wonderful young man.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about engagements, consider providing additional context, such as the length of the relationship, plans for the wedding, or the couple's background, to make the announcement more engaging for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "is engaged to" when you simply mean someone is interested in dating another person. "Engaged" specifically refers to a formal agreement to marry.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is engaged to" primarily functions as a linking verb phrase, connecting the subject to a predicate nominative or adjective that describes the subject's state of being promised in marriage. As seen in Ludwig, it indicates a formal agreement to marry.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

83%

Wiki

13%

Science

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is engaged to" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to indicate that someone has formally promised to marry. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage, particularly in news and media contexts. While alternatives like "is betrothed to" or "is promised to" exist, "is engaged to" strikes a balance between formality and casualness, making it suitable for diverse writing styles. When using this phrase, ensure that it accurately reflects a confirmed marriage agreement, distinguishing it from mere interest or dating.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is betrothed to

This alternative is a more formal or archaic synonym for "is engaged to".

is promised to

This alternative uses a simpler and more direct wording to convey the engagement.

is going to marry

This alternative expresses the future action resulting from the engagement.

is set to wed

This alternative is a more concise and journalistic way of saying "is going to marry".

is affianced to

This alternative is a formal and somewhat old-fashioned synonym for "is engaged to".

is spoken for

This alternative implies the person is unavailable for romantic relationships because they are engaged.

has agreed to marry

This alternative emphasizes the agreement aspect of getting engaged.

plans to marry

This alternative focuses on the intention and planning aspect of the engagement.

intends to marry

This alternative highlights the intention to marry at some point in the future.

is in a marital relationship with

This alternative speaks of the relationship status, implying an intention to marry in the future.

FAQs

What does it mean when someone "is engaged to" someone else?

When someone "is engaged to" another person, it means they have formally agreed to marry each other. It's a promise and commitment to enter into marriage.

What can I say instead of "is engaged to"?

You can use alternatives like "is betrothed to", "is promised to", or "is going to marry" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say someone "is engaged with" instead of "is engaged to"?

No, "is engaged with" has a different meaning. "Is engaged with" typically refers to being actively involved or occupied with something, not a marriage commitment. "Is engaged to" is the correct phrase for indicating a marriage agreement.

How formal is the phrase "is engaged to"?

The phrase "is engaged to" is generally considered neutral in formality. While it's not overly formal like "is betrothed to", it's also not as casual as saying someone is "going to get married". It's suitable for most contexts.