key participant

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "key participant" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to someone who plays a crucial or significant role in an event, project, or discussion. Example: "During the conference, she was a key participant in the panel discussion on climate change."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In both movements Yeats was a key participant.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Government officials are said to consider Mr. Glisan a key participant in the demise of Enron.

The New York Times

Newell follows key participant Ebony as she prepares to audition for Newtown high school of the performing arts.

The Guardian - Film

EdTech is a key participant of the Digital MEdIC (Digital Medical Education International Collaborative) iniative.

Stanford University

The Laboratory is a key participant in the DARPA Discoverer II program.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Ehud Barak, the defense minister, who leads the Labor Party, will be a key participant, carefully watching public reaction.

The New York Times

He joined the Board of Directors of Becker in 1968, and in 1974 was a key participant in the formation and leadership of Warburg Paribas Becker.

The New York Times

Since Annie Sprinkle, the pornography star turned performance artist, is a key participant in the proceedings, this is not entirely surprising.

The New York Times

Mr. Morris, 33, resigned last month from Morgan Stanley & Company, where he had been a key participant in the firm's international equity trading operations.

The New York Times

Mr. Steindler has been identified in court documents as the key participant at General Electric in the funneling of bribes to General Dotan.

The New York Times

The United States has publicly supported international negotiations aimed at slowing down the Syrian civil war, with Assad's government a key participant in the talks.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "key participant", ensure that the context clearly defines the event, project, or discussion in which the person is participating.

Common error

Avoid using "key participant" excessively. If everyone is a "key participant", the phrase loses its meaning. Instead, vary your language and specify the actual contributions of individuals.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "key participant" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject or object in a sentence. It identifies an individual or entity that holds a crucial role within a specific context. Ludwig examples show it used across various domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Academia

27%

Science

23%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

0.1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "key participant" is a commonly used and grammatically correct way to describe someone who plays a crucial role in an event, project, or discussion. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. It is most frequently found in news and media, academic, and scientific contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly defines the scope of the participation. While synonyms like "essential member" and "principal actor" exist, it's important to avoid overusing "key participant" and specify the actual contributions of individuals for better clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

essential member

This alternative emphasizes the necessity of the person's involvement.

principal actor

This alternative emphasizes the individual's role as a primary agent.

leading figure

This alternative suggests a prominent and influential role.

central player

This alternative likens the role to that in a game, highlighting importance.

significant contributor

This alternative highlights the person's contribution to an effort.

major stakeholder

This alternative frames the person as having a vested interest and influence.

driving force

This alternative emphasizes the person's role in propelling the activity forward.

prime mover

This alternative suggests the person initiated or strongly influenced the activity.

chief instigator

This alternative implies the person initiated or provoked the activity, potentially with negative connotations.

main instigator

This alternative directly identifies someone as the principal initiator.

FAQs

How can I use "key participant" in a sentence?

You can use "key participant" to describe someone who plays a crucial role in an event or project. For example, "She was a key participant in the negotiations."

What can I say instead of "key participant"?

Alternatives include "essential member", "principal actor", or "leading figure", depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "key participant" if someone is already understood to be important?

While not strictly redundant, consider whether the "key" modifier adds value. If their importance is already clear, simply "participant" may suffice. Alternatively, use stronger synonyms like "essential member" or "central player" to emphasize their role.

What is the difference between "key participant" and "active participant"?

"Active participant" suggests someone engages frequently, whereas "key participant" implies a significant, perhaps indispensable, role. Someone can be an active participant without being a "key participant", and vice versa.