engage in conversation

Meaning

To start or take part in a talk or discussion with someone. It is a more formal and elegant way of saying 'to have a chat' or 'to talk to someone.' It is often used in social, professional, or academic contexts where polite and active participation in speaking is being described.

Examples

• She found it easy to engage in conversation with people from all walks of life.

  She found it easy to engage in conversation with people from all walks of life.

• During the networking event, I managed to engage in conversation with several potential employers.

  During the networking event, I managed to engage in conversation with several potential employers.

• He was so absorbed in his book that he didn't want to engage in conversation with his seatmate.

  He was so absorbed in his book that he didn't want to engage in conversation with his seatmate.

• The host made an effort to engage in conversation with every guest at the dinner party.

  The host made an effort to engage in conversation with every guest at the dinner party.

• It can be difficult to engage in conversation when you don't share a common language.

  It can be difficult to engage in conversation when you don't share a common language.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I tried to engage conversation with him.

  ✓ I tried to engage in conversation with him.

  You must include the preposition 'in' after 'engage' when you mean participating in an activity like a conversation.

• ✗ We engaged on a deep conversation last night.

  ✓ We engaged in a deep conversation last night.

  The correct preposition to use with 'engage' in this context is 'in', not 'on' or 'at'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• At parties, she usually finds a quiet corner instead of trying to ___.

  💡 to participate in talking with others

  Show answer

  engage in conversation

• It's always polite to ___ with the person sitting next to you on a long flight.

  💡 to start talking to someone nearby

  Show answer

  engage in conversation