were engaged by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were engaged by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone was hired or involved in a particular activity or project by another party. Example: "The consultants were engaged by the company to improve their marketing strategy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The lead investigator worked for accountants PKF, who were engaged by Spurs.

The Guardian - Sport

Distinct networks were engaged by attention-directing cues versus subsequent targets.

Nature

"Most people we knew were engaged by that age," said his mother, before catching herself.

The New York Times

They were engaged by regime forces, which have so far been unable to rout them despite superior firepower.

The Guardian

Top directors and casts were engaged by the Gate Theater of Dublin and the producers Michael Colgan and Alan Moloney.

The New York Times

He said they were engaged by Indian troops and were kept away from the base's aircraft and military equipment.

The Guardian

Analysis of ribosome profiling data showed that at least 75% of human exon-skipping events were engaged by ribosomes70.

Nature

The services of Sting - whose personal fortune is estimated well north of £150m - were engaged by Gulnara Karimova, the daughter and anointed heir of dictator Islam Karimov.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Mr Justice Coulson also stated that PKF were "engaged by Tottenham Hotspur to carry out investigations in some way related to the bid for the Olympic Stadium".

Independent

Miss Jacksina's services were engaged by Ivan Bloch, the co-producer of the current Broadway shows "The Real Thing" and "Baby".

The New Yorker

The busiest spot was the computer room, where children were engaged by digital games and not, as far I as could tell, reading up on Gramscian theory.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were engaged by", ensure the context clearly indicates who initiated the engagement. This enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "were engaged by" when an active voice construction would be clearer and more direct. For instance, instead of "The project were engaged by the team", consider "The team engaged with the project".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were engaged by" functions as a passive voice construction. It indicates that the subject received an action—specifically, being hired, involved, or occupied by someone or something else. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its correct usage across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were engaged by" is a grammatically sound passive construction used to indicate that a subject was hired, involved, or occupied by an external entity. As Ludwig AI points out, it's a commonly used phrase across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and academic writing. While the phrase is correct, it's crucial to ensure that the context is clear and that an active voice wouldn't be more effective. Consider alternatives like "were hired by" or "were contracted by" to fine-tune the meaning. By understanding its nuances and usage patterns, you can confidently incorporate "were engaged by" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were hired by

Replaces "engaged" with "hired", emphasizing employment.

were employed by

Similar to "hired by", focusing on being employed.

were contracted by

Suggests a formal agreement or contract.

were recruited by

Focuses on the act of being recruited for a specific purpose.

were commissioned by

Suggests being assigned to create or perform a specific task or project.

were retained by

Implies a continued or ongoing relationship.

were involved by

Indicates participation or inclusion.

were appointed by

Highlights a formal appointment to a role.

were tasked by

Emphasizes being assigned a specific duty.

were asked by

Indicates a simple request or invitation to participate.

FAQs

How can I use "were engaged by" in a sentence?

You can use "were engaged by" to show that someone or something was hired or involved by another party. For example, "The consultants "were engaged by" the company to improve their marketing strategy."

What are some alternatives to "were engaged by"?

Alternatives include "were hired by", "were contracted by", or "were employed by", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "were engaged by"?

While "were engaged by" is grammatically correct, using the active voice can often create a clearer and more direct sentence. For example, instead of "The research "were engaged by" the scientists", you could say "The scientists engaged in the research".

What is the difference between "were engaged by" and "were involved in"?

"Were engaged by" typically implies a formal agreement or employment, whereas "were involved in" suggests participation or inclusion without necessarily implying a contractual relationship. For instance, "The consultants "were engaged by" the company" suggests a formal hiring, while "The consultants "were involved in" the project" simply means they participated.