did not take part

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "did not take part" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone did not participate in an event or activity. Example: "She did not take part in the discussion because she was feeling unwell."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Germany did not take part.

The New York Times - Books

Verratti did not take part.

The Guardian - Sport

My mother did not take part in these fictions.

The New York Times - Magazine

"Gomes did not take part in that fight.

The New York Times

Pale Male did not take part in the discussion.

The New York Times

"I did not take part in any crimes.

Independent

"The family did not take part in this," he said.

The New York Times

Cho did not take part in the selection meet.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr Hazan did not take part in the conflict.

Independent

(Mr. Lincoln did not take part in the suit).

The New York Times - Arts

Only a handful of plants did not take part.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "did not take part", clearly state the specific event or activity from which someone was absent to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "did not take part" when a more direct, active construction would be clearer. For instance, instead of saying "The committee did not take part in the decision," consider "The committee abstained from the decision" or "The committee was excluded from the decision." The goal is to provide a more descriptive language to the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "did not take part" functions as a negative verb phrase, indicating the absence of involvement or participation in a specific action or event. As Ludwig AI correctly points out, the phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "did not take part" is a versatile and grammatically correct way to express a lack of involvement or participation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across various contexts, most commonly in News & Media. Alternatives like "did not participate" or "was not involved" can be used for a slightly more formal tone. Ensure clarity by specifying the event or activity from which someone was absent. While "did not take part" is generally neutral, choosing a more direct, active construction can sometimes improve clarity. This phrase is an efficient way to communicate non-participation in various settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

did not participate

This alternative is a more formal synonym for "did not take part".

opted out of

This alternative emphasizes a conscious and explicit decision not to be involved.

was not involved

This alternative broadens the scope to include any form of involvement, not just active participation.

declined to participate

This alternative is a more polite and formal option to communicate the lack of involvement.

did not engage

This alternative emphasizes a lack of active engagement or interaction.

abstained from

This alternative specifically implies a deliberate choice to refrain from participating, often in a vote or decision.

remained aloof from

This alternative suggests a deliberate distance and lack of connection.

kept out of

This alternative implies avoiding involvement to stay safe or uninvolved.

was absent from

This alternative suggests non-attendance or non-presence, implying a lack of participation.

shunned participation

This alternative is a slightly stronger, more dramatic way to say that somebody did not take part.

FAQs

What is the difference between "did not participate" and "did not take part"?

The phrases "did not participate" and "did not take part" are often interchangeable and have very similar meanings. "Did not participate" may sound slightly more formal, while "did not take part" is commonly used in everyday conversation.

What can I say instead of "did not take part"?

You can use alternatives like "was not involved", "did not participate", or "abstained from" depending on the specific context.

How to use "did not take part" in a sentence?

You can use "did not take part" to indicate a lack of participation in an event or activity. For example, "She did not take part in the race due to an injury."

Which is correct, "did not take part" or "didn't take part"?

Both "did not take part" and "didn't take part" are correct. "Didn't take part" is a contraction of "did not take part" and is considered less formal, but perfectly acceptable in most contexts.