it must engage

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it must engage" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the necessity for something to capture interest or involve participation. Example: "For the presentation to be effective, it must engage the audience from the very beginning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

"We say the act depicted is such an excessive act of violence, so gross in its delivery, that it must engage the criminal law because of the risk of harm it presents," the prosecutor Mike Hicks said.

The New York Times - Sports

WALL STREET JOURNAL Broad Mediation Ordered in WaMu Bankruptcy  |  Bank holding company Washington Mutual has been told it must engage with certain creditor groups before proceeding with its reorganization plan, a bankruptcy judge ruled Thursday.

The New York Times

"If you want to design a system that works then it must engage the private sector".

The New York Times

It must engage seriously with the concerns and views of a more diverse student body".

Independent

If the international community is serious about ending Somali piracy, it must engage Puntland as a full-time partner.

The New York Times

Even as the international community works to boost the capacity of the federal government, it must engage with the regions.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

IT Services must engage with the Stanford community to anticipate and support the IT needs of a multi-campus, world-class research university and medical institution.

Stanford University

If you want actual change you can't just write a tune or play it; you must engage with the agents of change, and the agents of change in our world are politicians, and that's slower.

Huffington Post

"Al Qaeda and other terrorists' center of gravity lies in the information domain, and it is there that we must engage it," said Dell L. Dailey, the State Department's counterterrorism chief.

The New York Times

Painful and disorienting as it is, they must engage with that irritating distraction called the rest of the world.

The Guardian - Opinion

A combination lock can be built into some guns, but since a user must engage it, a child might still find the gun unlocked.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it must engage", ensure that the subject is clearly defined and that the context clarifies what it needs to engage with for clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "it must engage" in contexts where an active voice would be more direct and impactful. For example, instead of saying "the system must engage users", consider "the system should actively involve users".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it must engage" functions as a modal verb phrase, indicating a necessity or obligation for the subject to actively involve itself or interact with something. Ludwig confirms that it signals a requirement for participation or involvement, as seen in various examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

29%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it must engage" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express the necessity for something to actively involve itself or interact. As Ludwig AI indicates, its usage is prevalent across various contexts, particularly in news and media, science, and formal business settings. When writing, ensure the subject is clear and that the object of engagement is well-defined for maximum impact. Remember, while versatile, avoid using it passively when an active voice could strengthen your message. While "it must engage" conveys obligation, alternatives like "it should get involved" can offer a softer, recommended approach.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it needs to participate

Replaces "must engage" with "needs to participate", suggesting a requirement for active involvement.

it is required to involve itself

Substitutes "must engage" with "is required to involve itself", indicating an obligation for self-inclusion.

it is essential to interact

Changes "must engage" to "is essential to interact", highlighting the necessity for mutual action.

it is vital to connect

Replaces "must engage" with "is vital to connect", emphasizing the importance of forming a relationship.

it is crucial to participate

Changes "must engage" to "is crucial to participate", indicating a critical need for involvement.

it should get involved

Substitutes "must engage" with "should get involved", suggesting a recommendation for participation.

it has to take part

Changes "must engage" to "has to take part", indicating a necessity to participate.

it is important to connect

Substitutes "must engage" with "is important to connect", suggesting that forming a relationship is of relevance.

it ought to interact

Replaces "must engage" with "ought to interact", suggesting a moral obligation to interact.

it is bound to participate

Substitutes "must engage" with "is bound to participate", suggesting a predictable participation.

FAQs

How can I use "it must engage" in a sentence?

Use "it must engage" to emphasize the necessity of something to involve or capture interest. For example, "For the presentation to be effective, "it must engage" the audience from the very beginning".

What are some alternatives to "it must engage"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "it needs to participate", "it is essential to interact", or "it should get involved".

Is it correct to use "it must engage with"?

Yes, using "it must engage with" is grammatically correct. The "with" clarifies what the subject needs to interact or involve itself with. For example, "It must engage with the community".

What is the difference between "it must engage" and "it should engage"?

"It must engage" expresses a necessity or obligation, while "it should engage" suggests a recommendation or advisability. The former is stronger and implies a requirement.