I was gossiping vs I engaged in gossip

Both phrases are correct, but they have slightly different nuances. 'I was gossiping' is a more casual and informal way to express involvement in gossip, while 'I engaged in gossip' sounds more formal and deliberate. The choice between the two depends on the context and the level of formality desired.

Last updated: April 01, 2024 • 1064 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in informal contexts to indicate involvement in gossip.

"I was gossiping "

This phrase is a simple and casual way to express that you were participating in gossip or spreading rumors.

Examples:

I was gossiping with my friends about the latest news.
She caught me gossiping about her behind her back.
We were gossiping about the new employee in the office.
He admitted to gossiping about his colleagues.
They were gossiping about the celebrity scandal.

Show examples from the web [+]

I was gossiping below stairs, slandering.
And believe me when I tell you I was not gossiping.
Because my neighbor said he was gossiping about me.
I was shocked, I assure you, but I had no intention of gossiping about her indiscretion.
Laughing, gossiping... Tell stories.
Someone's gossiping online about me.
Not a nice habit, and we know perfectly well the person gossiping, five minutes later, will be gossiping about us.
Not a nice habit, and we know perfectly well the person gossiping, five minutes later, will be gossiping about us. Second, judging.
Must go, the old woman hates the garbage can gossiping.
And this girl named Christiana, who liked him, is just now gossiping.
Abby, we mustn't be standing here gossiping all night.
Well, I hope y'all are gossiping about the reunion.
You gossiping about the Fitzpatrick case.
Stable, solid, not worth gossiping about.
I didn't want the entire... Office gossiping about it.
And I don't appreciate you gossiping about me to my fiancé.
We don't need people gossiping about our private lives.
When those gossiping hens stop staking me out in the parking lot.
Don't try to find friends and,... idle gossiping everywhere.
They'll already be gossiping about why you're here.

Alternatives:

I was spreading rumors.
I was talking behind someone's back.
I was sharing some juicy information.
I was discussing private matters.
I was engaging in idle chatter.

This phrase is correct and conveys a more formal and deliberate involvement in gossip.

"I engaged in gossip"

'I engaged in gossip' is a more formal way to express that you participated in spreading rumors or discussing private matters.

Examples:

She admitted that she engaged in gossip at the office.
He was caught engaging in gossip about his colleagues.
The article highlighted the dangers of engaging in gossip.
They discussed the consequences of engaging in gossip.
The manager warned against engaging in gossip in the workplace.

Show examples from the web [+]

Penny and I engaged in the French art of sabotage.
After the bar last night I engaged in consensual activities with Linda.
I'm afraid I engaged in some guilty pleasures.
Posing as a well-rounded student, I engaged in some extracurricular activities.
But they were strangers and seemed off-put when I engaged in friendly stall-to-stall chit-chat.
But they were strangers and seemed off-put when I engaged in friendly stall-to-stall chit-chat.
It really is because I thought I knew you, so I engaged in this conversation thinking you'd say things that made sense.
I engaged in a billion gas pipeline will not be 'never completed.
I engaged in a little masochism, A.K.A. checking my inbox for admission emails.
So Reed Akley and I engaged in a secret conspiracy to co-opt the resources of his group for implosion.
Over the past several months of my employment, I am ashamed to say that I engaged in an intimate relationship with the company's founder and C.E.O.
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.
Site-Specific Video Project, 8'47 ,Rome Italy Video documentation of several unauthorized acts happened in Rome, where I engaged in physical and emotional relationships with statues as...
I ENGAGED IN A TACTICAL REDEPLOYMENT OF RESOURCES.
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 realized straight away that I had to tell all about this speaker, so that TNT readers could get to know it; thus I engaged in the usual grovelling to obtain the P4Ls for our magazine to test.
"doing approximately 140 km per hour, I engaged in overtaking a vehicle."
I want every resource Engaged in her recovery.
So Bailey was engaged in covert ops.
Certain enterprising fans were engaged in cultivation of thoroughbred horses.

Alternatives:

I participated in spreading rumors.
I was involved in idle chatter.
I took part in discussing private matters.
I shared confidential information.
I indulged in office gossip.

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I was gossiping vs I engaged in gossip

"I was gossiping "

"I engaged in gossip"

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