partake

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'partake' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used as an intransitive verb to describe participating in or sharing something. For example, "She decided to partake in the company's retirement plan."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Somebody has told me that pinot noir in Oregon is top notch … I want to make sure that Japanese wine consumers have an opportunity to partake in our excellent Oregon wine," Obama said, adding that the deal could also benefit Oregon ranchers.

The Guardian

"I felt very comfortable around campus and was very aware of the services and extra curricular activities I could partake in if I wanted to".

The Guardian

Young and old alike partake in the customs, dressing up and painting their faces to resemble mythical beasts and near-forgotten pagan deities.

The Guardian - Arts

For example, children regularly partake in sessions of "eurythmy", a form of expressive dance performed in robes to help children develop their spirit in its "new life".

The Guardian

And those who follow, let alone partake in, these negotiations, endlessly locked in an attempt to produce climate agreements which command assent, or at least acquiescence, from every single country here, are used to dealing with absurdities which follow more or less logically.

The Economist

In August the PMDB's leader, Michel Temer, who will be vice-president if Ms Rousseff is elected, told party members to campaign hard for her, saying that in return they would partake in what he described as the "sharing out of the bread".Where Ms Rousseff herself stands nobody bar her closest associates knows.

The Economist

With long-haul tourism badly hit by the downturn, local operators are hoping to persuade visitors to partake of wineries, adventure tourism and other spending opportunities beyond match venues.What if the All Blacks don't win?

The Economist

Yet it remains individually rational for most Republican politicians to partake in precisely the sort of posturing identity politics that most alienates immigration-friendly voters.

The Economist

I'm a poor college student and even though my family still went out shopping I decided not to partake in the activities this season because my wallet is empty...There were deals, apparently:But oh I scored some sweet deals...REALLY SWEET DEALS.

The Economist

EVERY MARCH offices across America partake in an annual ritual, filling in brackets to enter pools for the NCAA college basketball tournament.

The Economist

For many years now big firms have preferred to host their own conferences with tightly controlled messages and attendee lists, rather than partake in slightly more democratic events run by trade-show organisations.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "partake" when you want to suggest a sense of sharing or joining in something, particularly something beneficial or enjoyable. For example, "We invite you to partake in the festivities."

Common error

Avoid using "partake" in very casual contexts. It can sound overly formal or stilted. Consider using simpler alternatives like "join" or "share" instead.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "partake" is as an intransitive verb, meaning to participate or share in something. It often suggests a sense of joining in an activity or receiving a portion of something, as illustrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "partake" is a grammatically correct and frequently used verb that means to participate or share in something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used across various contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business settings. While it is generally considered formal, it's crucial to avoid using it in overly casual conversations, where simpler alternatives may be more appropriate. Remember to leverage it to suggest a sense of sharing or joining in, particularly in beneficial or enjoyable contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

participate

A more general term for taking part in something.

take part

A common and versatile alternative, suitable for many contexts.

share

Emphasizes the aspect of dividing or having something in common.

engage in

Implies active involvement or commitment.

join in

Suggests a sense of community or group activity.

have a share in

Focuses on receiving a portion or benefit.

be involved in

Indicates a connection or association with something.

consume

Specifically refers to eating or drinking something.

absorb

To assimilate knowledge or information.

be a party to

A more formal phrase indicating agreement or consent.

FAQs

How do I use "partake" in a sentence?

"Partake" can be used to mean to participate or share in something. For example, "I encourage everyone to "take part" in the discussion" or "Would you like to "have some" cake?".

What are some synonyms for "partake"?

Alternatives to "partake" include "participate", "take part", "share", or "engage in", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "partake of" something?

Yes, "partake of" is a correct and common construction, often used to mean to eat or drink something. For instance, "Would you like to partake of some refreshments?"

What is the difference between "partake" and "participate"?

While both words involve taking part in something, "partake" often implies sharing or receiving a portion of something, whereas "participate" is a more general term for taking part in an activity.