I was engaged in vs i engaged in

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'I was engaged in' is used to describe an action that was happening in the past, while 'I engaged in' is used to talk about an action that someone actively participated in. They are not directly comparable as they serve different purposes.

Last updated: March 22, 2024 • 2872 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to describe an action that was happening in the past.

"I was engaged in"

This phrase is used to indicate that someone was involved in an activity or task at a specific point in the past.

Examples:

Yesterday, I was engaged in a heated debate with my colleagues.
During the summer, I was engaged in various outdoor activities.
She was engaged in a deep conversation with her friend.
The students were engaged in a group project for the entire semester.
He was engaged in writing his novel for months.

Show examples from the web [+]

Sau, on the night of your play, I was engaged in a transaction.
Mr President, I was unable to hear the Commissioner's speech because I was engaged in other parliamentary business.
I can only explain that I was engaged in intense discussion with my Member of the European Parliament in my office on the vexed subject of the painting of our kitchen and, consequently, was detained longer than either of us intended.
It really was an ill-mannered thing, especially since I was engaged in attempting to establish his wretched sea beacons.
Last week I was engaged in my own tour and mini-summit, as it were, in Berlin. I was there to speak on urban policy.
I was engaged in it for three years, that is, till I was twenty years old.
It wasn't until later, when I was imprisoned again, that I understood the real meaning of torture, and how easy your humanity can be taken from you, for the time I was engaged in war, righteous, righteous war.

Alternatives:

I was involved in
I was participating in
I was occupied with
I was immersed in
I was engrossed in

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to talk about an action that someone actively participated in.

"i engaged in"

This phrase is used to indicate that someone took part in or participated in an activity or task.

Examples:

I engaged in a discussion about climate change.
She engaged in volunteer work at the local shelter.
The company engaged in a marketing campaign to promote their new product.
He engaged in a friendly game of chess with his neighbor.
They engaged in a debate on social media.

Show examples from the web [+]

Penny and I engaged in the French art of sabotage.
So Reed Akley and I engaged in a secret conspiracy to co-opt the resources of his group for implosion.
Over 2, 000 letters and questionnaires were sent out to partners in the regions and I engaged in over twentyfive hours of hearings in nine different places across the UK.
You are well aware, ladies and gentlemen, that throughout the Intergovernmental Conference I engaged in deliberations with, and shared the disappointments and hopes of, Parliament and the Committee on Institutional Affairs.
I engaged in a little masochism, A.K.A. checking my inbox for admission emails.
"doing approximately 140 km per hour, I engaged in overtaking a vehicle."
Maddox and I were engaged in a friendly demonstration of defense.
Officer David and I are engaged in a linguistic developmental exercise intended to bolster her English vocabulary.
I'm engaged in high treason with all means available to me.
But I'm engaged in parliament.
I am engaged in a civic task, Johnny.
Your dear father and I became engaged in a thunderstorm.
I am engaged in AIDS research.
I'm engaged in the States.
I want every resource Engaged in her recovery.
I've engaged in the most nefarious of professions out of a profound sense of duty.
It really was an ill-mannered thing, especially since I was engaged in attempting to establish his wretched sea beacons.
As you may know, for the past two years, Captain Holt and I have engaged in an epic battle of wits.
Sau, on the night of your play, I was engaged in a transaction.
My pupils and I are engaged in an ethical debate, Molly.

Alternatives:

I participated in
I took part in
I involved myself in
I joined in
I was active in

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I was engaged in vs i engaged in

"I was engaged in"

"i engaged in"

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