What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
involve
Example
The project will involve several team members with different skills. [involve: verb]
Example
The recipe involves several steps and ingredients. [involves: present tense]
Example
The accident involved three cars and caused a traffic jam. [involved: past tense]
entangle
Example
The fish got entangled in the fishing net. [entangled: past participle]
Example
I accidentally entangled my headphones in my bag. [entangle: verb]
Example
The company became entangled in a legal dispute with its competitor. [entangled: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Involve is more commonly used than entangle in everyday language. Involve is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while entangle is more specific and often used in situations involving physical objects.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between involve and entangle?
While involve is typically associated with a neutral or positive tone, entangle is often associated with a negative or undesirable situation. Therefore, involve is more formal and appropriate for professional or academic contexts, while entangle is more informal and suitable for casual conversations or storytelling.