to be engaged

USAGE SUMMARY

'to be engaged' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to mean to have a mutual commitment to a romantic relationship, to describe an upcoming marriage, or to express that two people are involved in a task or conversation together. For example, "The couple announced they were officially engaged after being together for four years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Google has particular reason to be engaged.

The New York Times - Tech

We are not asked to be engaged.

The New Yorker

They don't want to be engaged.

The New Yorker

I'm going to be engaged forever.

The New Yorker

They need to be engaged.

The Guardian

They want to be engaged".

The New York Times

"I like to be engaged full time".

The New York Times

And we want you to be engaged.

The New Yorker

To be engaged, you have to believe.

The Guardian

We are soon to be engaged.

The Guardian - Travel

After all, to be engaged with politics is to be engaged with the world.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to be engaged" when you want to express active participation, commitment, or involvement in a specific activity, discussion, or relationship. Be mindful of the context to ensure the intended meaning is clear.

Common error

Avoid using "to be engaged" when you simply mean someone is interested in a topic. "Engaged" implies active participation, while "interested" indicates curiosity or concern. Ensure the context supports the idea of active involvement, not just passive interest.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be engaged" typically functions as part of a verb phrase, indicating a state of being involved or committed. Examples from Ludwig show it used to describe active participation, like wanting to be engaged in fighting the fight, or a state of planning marriage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

27%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to be engaged" is a versatile phrase used to describe involvement, commitment, or the state of planning a marriage. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in various contexts. It's commonly found in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business settings, signifying its broad applicability. When using this phrase, ensure it aligns with the intended meaning of active participation or commitment, differentiating it from mere interest. Remember its common alternative is "to be involved".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be involved

Emphasizes participation or inclusion in something, similar to being engaged but can apply to less formal situations.

to be participating

Focuses on the act of taking part in an activity or event.

to be active in

Highlights an energetic or contributory role within a particular field or activity.

to be immersed in

Suggests a deep level of involvement or absorption in a subject or activity.

to be committed to

Similar to dedicated, but can also imply a formal or binding promise.

to be occupied with

Implies being busy or preoccupied with something, often a task or duty.

to be dedicated to

Emphasizes commitment and devotion to a particular cause or activity.

to be engrossed in

Conveys a state of being completely absorbed or fascinated by something.

to be absorbed in

Similar to engrossed, but can also suggest a more passive form of deep involvement.

to be consumed by

Indicates that something takes up all of one's time or attention, often to an excessive degree.

FAQs

How can I use "to be engaged" in a sentence?

You can use "to be engaged" to describe someone actively participating in an activity, like: "The students need "to be engaged" in the lesson for it to be effective." It can also describe a couple planning to marry, like: "They are "to be engaged" soon."

What's the difference between "to be engaged" and "to be involved"?

"To be engaged" often implies a deeper level of commitment and active participation, whereas "to be involved" can suggest a more passive or peripheral role. For instance, someone "to be engaged" is actively working on a project, while someone to be involved might simply be aware of it.

What are some synonyms for "to be engaged"?

Alternatives include "to be involved", "to be participating", or "to be active in", depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey. Each synonym has slightly different connotations.

Is it correct to say "I want to be engaged"?

Yes, it's perfectly correct. It generally means you want to be actively participating or involved in something. For example, "I certainly want "to be engaged" in a multigenerational place."