to engage in

USAGE SUMMARY

"to engage in" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe an activity or activity in progress, such as "The company is planning to engage in more sustainable production methods".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"You have to engage in contracts.

The New York Times

Unfit to engage in the topic.

The Guardian - Books

"People can start to engage in crimes.

The New York Times

Far better to engage in the debate.

The Guardian - Opinion

I'm not going to engage in that".

The Guardian

"I'm prepared to engage in that battle.

The Guardian

Britain might wish to engage in it.

The Guardian

It wants them to engage in it.

The Guardian

We have to engage in Jordan.

The New York Times

We have to engage in the debate.

The Guardian

People want to engage in it.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to engage in" to clearly indicate participation or involvement in a specific activity, discussion, or process. For instance: "The organization seeks to engage in community development projects."

Common error

Avoid overuse in formal contexts where simpler verbs like "participate", "join", or "undertake" might be more appropriate. Over-reliance on "to engage in" can make your writing sound stilted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to engage in" functions as an infinitive phrase that typically precedes a noun or noun phrase, indicating the action of participating or becoming involved in something. Ludwig AI confirms its validity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

13%

Science

12%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to engage in" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to describe participation or involvement in an activity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s widely accepted and used in various contexts, ranging from news and media to academia and science. While highly common, it's important to be mindful of potential overuse, especially in formal writing, where simpler alternatives might be preferable. By understanding its function, purpose, and appropriate contexts, you can effectively incorporate "to engage in" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to participate in

Emphasizes active involvement or taking part in something.

to take part in

Highlights the act of joining or being included in an activity.

to get involved in

A more informal way of expressing participation or engagement.

to join in

Indicates the act of becoming a member or participant in an activity or group.

to involve oneself in

Focuses on the conscious decision to become connected to an activity.

to immerse oneself in

Suggests a deep and thorough involvement, often implying dedication.

to be active in

Emphasizes a state of being engaged and doing things within a specific context.

to partake in

Implies sharing or having a portion of something, like an activity or experience.

to contribute to

Highlights the act of giving or adding to something, such as a project or discussion.

to associate with

Implies a connection or relationship with an activity or group.

FAQs

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

Use "to engage in" to describe the act of participating or becoming involved in an activity. For example, "The students are encouraged "to engage in" extracurricular activities."

What are some alternatives to "to engage in"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "to participate in", "to take part in", or "to get involved in".

Is it better to say "engage in" or simply "engage"?

While "engage" can sometimes be used on its own, "to engage in" is typically used when you want to specify the activity or process someone is involved in. For example, "They decided to engage in a discussion" is more common than "They decided to engage a discussion."

When is it appropriate to use "to engage in" in writing?

"To engage in" is suitable for both formal and informal writing when you want to emphasize participation or involvement. However, be mindful of overusing it in formal contexts where simpler alternatives might be more effective.