they are engaging

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they are engaging" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe individuals or groups that are actively participating or involved in an activity or conversation. Example: "During the meeting, they are engaging with the audience by asking questions and encouraging feedback."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Companies need to understand why they are engaging.

The Guardian

They are engaging in criminal activities for their own ends.

The Guardian

You can tell they are engaging more deeply".

The Guardian

"They are engaging in real activities to move the needle on major brands," he says.

The New York Times

They are engaging in a bit of idle banter, aren't they?

Independent

Yet in their exploration of this particular fuku [curse], they are engaging.

The Economist

And increasingly, they are engaging their own experts to help spot the next calamity.

The New York Times

They are engaging more, yes, but from a very low level".

The New York Times

The object of the obsession is less relevant than the fact that they are engaging in obsessive behavior".

Independent

Despite its universality, many people the world over have some trouble recognizing leisure even when they are engaging in it.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The top ten phrases people use in their e-mails when they are engaging in corporate fraud.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they are engaging" to clearly indicate active participation or involvement in a specific activity or process. It's effective in describing ongoing actions.

Common error

Avoid using "they are engaging" when a more specific verb would better describe the action. For example, instead of "they are engaging in conversation", consider "they are discussing" or "they are debating" to provide more clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they are engaging" functions as a verb phrase in the present continuous tense. According to Ludwig AI, it describes an ongoing action or process in which a group is actively involved. It's used to convey that the subjects are currently participating in something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

26%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they are engaging" is a versatile phrase used to describe ongoing participation or involvement. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and high frequency across diverse sources, including News & Media and Science. When writing, consider the specific action to avoid vagueness, opting for more descriptive verbs when appropriate. While "they are engaging" is widely applicable, remember its present continuous tense to accurately convey the ongoing nature of the activity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they are participating

Replaces "engaging" with a more general term for taking part in an activity.

they are involved

Indicates a state of being connected or concerned with something.

they are taking part

Emphasizes the action of joining or participating in an event or activity.

they are occupied

Focuses on the state of being busy or actively doing something.

they are active

Highlights the dynamic nature of their involvement.

they are immersed

Suggests a deep level of involvement or absorption.

they are engrossed

Implies being completely focused or absorbed in something.

they are occupied with

Specifies the object or activity that they are involved in.

they are busy with

Indicates active involvement and commitment to a task.

they are dedicating themselves to

Highlights a strong commitment and focused effort.

FAQs

How can I use "they are engaging" in a sentence?

The phrase "they are engaging" describes a group actively participating in something. For instance, "They are engaging in a lively debate about the new policy" or "They are engaging with customers on social media".

What are some alternatives to saying "they are engaging"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases such as "they are participating", "they are involved", or "they are interacting". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "they are engage" instead of "they are engaging"?

No, "they are engage" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "they are engaging", which uses the present continuous tense to describe an ongoing action.

What's the difference between "they are engaging" and "they engage"?

"They are engaging" (present continuous) describes an action happening now or over a period of time. "They engage" (simple present) describes a habitual or general action. For example, "They are engaging in a workshop this week" versus "They engage in community service every month".