to engage

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to engage" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of participating, involving, or attracting someone's attention or interest in a particular activity or conversation. Example: "The teacher used interactive activities to engage her students in the learning process."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I like to engage.

The New York Times

She's there to engage that".

The New Yorker

She didn't want to engage.

Independent

They don't want to engage".

The New York Times

To engage or not to engage?

The Guardian

We're ready to engage.

The New Yorker

Fundamentally, it has to engage the reader.

The New Yorker

Now Obama is compelled to engage.

The New York Times

I want to engage.

The Guardian - Film

They withdraw and become unable to engage.

Independent

We want to engage with our community".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to engage" when you want to emphasize active participation, interaction, or involvement, especially in contexts where attention or interest is being drawn.

Common error

Avoid using "to engage" when a simpler verb like "to use", "to participate", or "to interact" would be more direct and appropriate. Overuse can make your writing sound forced or unnatural.

Linguistic Context

The infinitive phrase "to engage" typically functions as a verb complement, adverbial modifier expressing purpose, or nominal infinitive acting as a noun. Ludwig indicates its use across different sentence structures.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to engage" is a versatile and frequently used infinitive phrase, primarily functioning to denote active participation, interaction, or involvement. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and finds common application across various contexts, especially in News & Media. While its adaptability makes it valuable, writers should be mindful of potential overuse in passive contexts. Alternatives such as "to involve" or "to attract" can provide more precise meaning depending on the context. Its high source quality and frequency contribute to a strong expert rating, underscoring its reliability in written communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to participate

Focuses on taking part in an activity or event.

to involve oneself

Emphasizes personal participation and commitment.

to interact with

Highlights the act of communication or action between two or more parties.

to get involved

Suggests becoming actively participating in something

to take part

Indicates being one of a group doing something.

to commit oneself

Emphasizes a firm decision to do something.

to immerse oneself

Suggests deep involvement and absorption in an activity or environment.

to throw oneself into

Implies energetic and enthusiastic involvement.

to dedicate oneself

Highlights the act of committing time and energy to a specific purpose.

to connect with

Focuses on establishing a meaningful relationship or understanding.

FAQs

How can I use "to engage" in a sentence?

You can use "to engage" to describe actions like involving someone, attracting attention, or participating in an activity. For instance, "The speaker used anecdotes "to engage" the audience."

What are some alternatives to "to engage"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "to involve", "to attract", "to participate", or "to interact with".

Which is correct, "to engage" or "engaging"?

Both can be correct, but they function differently. "To engage" is an infinitive form, often used after auxiliary verbs or to express purpose. "Engaging" is a gerund or participle, used as a noun or adjective. For example, "It is important "to engage" with the community" versus "Engaging content attracts more viewers."

How does "to engage" differ from "to involve"?

"To engage" often implies a deliberate effort to attract attention or participation, whereas "to involve" simply means to include someone or something. You "to engage" an audience with a compelling story, but you might "to involve" them in a project by assigning tasks.