commitment vs. engagement

[lapachis8]

Hi.
I´ve checked in the Merriam-Webster on line, but still cannot figure out the difference between commitment and engagement. Any ideas?
cheers

 

[TrentinaNE]

Can you provide links to the MW definitions and/or some examples of the contexts where you'd like to use these words?

They can have similar meanings, but I don't use them interchangeably. A commitment typically means that you have (agreed to) an obligation.

Colleague A: Can you come to a meeting at 2 p.m. today?
Colleague B: I'm sorry, I already have a commitment for that time. I have to meet with a client.

An engagement can also be an obligation, but in AE, it is most commonly used to refer to:
(a) the period of betrothal prior to marriage, or
(b) the act of having been hired for a specific project.

Colleague A: Has your new client signed an engagement letter yet?
Colleague B: No, we're still negotiating some of the terms.

Elisabetta

 

[kayokid]

Hello.
As I see it, a commitment is an agreement or pledge to do something.
ex. He made a commitment to repay the loan in a year.

An engagement most often refers to an impending marriage.
ex. My brother and his fiance are planning a very short engagement. He plans to get married in 3 months.

In somewhat elevated language one can also say: I have a dinner engagement tonight Mr. Trump. (I am having dinner with him.)

Hope this helps.

 

[TrentinaNE]

In somewhat elevated language one can also say: I have a dinner engagement tonight Mr. Trump. (I am having dinner with him.

In this last context, engagement is similar to appointment, but referring to a social event. Appointment would tend to be used in reference to things like meeting your doctor, lawyer, financial advisor, etc.

Elisabetta

 

[lapachis8]

Thanks!
Ok, this is the context, (I`m not sure if it the original is properly written. I´m translating it):

"(we)... hopefully provide more insight into students´motivational beliefs and into the way these beliefs affect their involvement, commitment and engagement in the life classroom."

cheers

 

[TrentinaNE]

In this case, engagement means their active participation in the classroom, while commitment is the extent of their dedication. Engagement and involvement are the words that seem redundant to me.

Elisabetta

 

[lapachis8]

Thanks Elisabetta
I agree. I´m translating into Spanish and the equivalent of both words is compromiso, that is what confused me.
Thank again.
cheers