they got engaged

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they got engaged" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the moment when two people agree to marry each other. Example: "After dating for three years, they got engaged during a romantic dinner."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

They got engaged.

The New York Times

They got engaged in 2012.

Independent

They got engaged last fall.

The New Yorker

They got engaged three weeks later.

The Guardian - Books

They got engaged on Sept. 21, 2000.

The New York Times

They got engaged at New Year.

The Guardian

On that trip, they got engaged.

The New Yorker

Ms. Spyer asked her what she would do if they got engaged.

The New York Times

The first night they slept in their new home, they got engaged.

The New York Times

Turnover was high: most workers quit whenever they got engaged or married.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

They get engaged.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about an engagement, provide context such as how long the couple has been together or their plans for the wedding to add depth and interest to your narrative.

Common error

Avoid using "engaged" loosely; it specifically refers to the agreement to marry. Don't confuse it with simply dating or being in a committed relationship.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they got engaged" functions as a declarative statement indicating that a couple has agreed to marry. This is evident in the Ludwig examples, where the phrase is used to report on real-life events and relationships.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they got engaged" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to announce a couple's decision to marry. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it serves to inform a broad audience about relationship milestones. While various alternatives exist, the phrase itself remains a straightforward and widely accepted way to communicate an engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they are going to get married

Expresses the future intention to marry, similar to being engaged.

they agreed to marry

Rephrases the engagement as an agreement to marry, focusing on the decision rather than the status.

they decided to wed

Emphasizes the decision to get married, using "wed" as a synonym for "marry".

they are to be wed

A more formal way of saying they are going to get married.

they became betrothed

Uses a more formal and somewhat archaic term, "betrothed", instead of "engaged".

they committed to marriage

Highlights the commitment aspect of getting engaged.

they made a promise to marry

Focuses on the promise made during an engagement.

an engagement occurred

Presents the engagement as an event that happened.

marriage was proposed

Highlights the proposal aspect, shifting the focus slightly.

they set a wedding date

Indicates a step taken after getting engaged, implying the engagement.

FAQs

How can I use "they got engaged" in a sentence?

You can use "they got engaged" to describe the moment a couple decides to marry. For example, "After five years of dating, "they got engaged" during a trip to Paris".

What's the difference between "they got engaged" and "they got married"?

"They got engaged" refers to the agreement to marry, while "they got married" describes the actual marriage ceremony. Engagement precedes marriage.

What can I say instead of "they got engaged"?

You can use alternatives like "they became engaged", "they agreed to marry", or "they are going to get married depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "they got engaged"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. It's a common and accepted way to describe a couple's decision to marry.