participate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "participate" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to taking part in an activity, event, or discussion. Example: "I would like to participate in the upcoming conference to share my research findings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

To participate you need to register for a Guardian ID and log in prior to the discussion.

The Guardian

On the eve of the commencement, anger was still simmering as president James F Jones Jr announced he would not participate Saturday because of the fears of unspecified disruptions.

The Guardian

Cameron has indicated that he does not intend to take part in televised leaders' debates if the Greens are not invited to participate.

The Guardian

We chose not to participate with that effort".

The Guardian

Yes, the US saw John F Kennedy and Richard Nixon show down more than 50 years ago, but after Kennedy's performance and Nixon's narrow loss in the 1960 presidential election, presidential candidates did not participate in another debate until 1976.

The Guardian

"We have discovered recently that women have the same rights as men so we need to participate with them," he says, and adds, "the women bring in a lot of money!" According to the women, however, some men are taking time to adjust.

The Guardian

It also allows for a clearer emphasis on live and up-to-date news, while bringing audiences closer to Guardian journalism by offering more ways to share stories and participate in the conversation.

The Guardian

Catholic schools that participate are being asked not to donate to the ALS Association because it has a study under way using embryonic stem cell research, which is thought to violate teaching on abortion.

The Guardian

Community involvement and ownership is the foundation of sustainability: Once communities understand and participate in the development of their communities then it can be considered that the model implemented by partners or the government is sustainable.

The Guardian

When there are no funds, no transport, how are we going to participate?" And yet, everyone claims that illegal forest activity has diminished.

The Guardian

In most cases, councils pay businesses an annual fee to participate, between £200 in Cannock Chase to £1,560 in Wealdon a year.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing for a formal audience, "participate" often conveys a more professional tone compared to alternatives like "join in" or "get involved".

Common error

Ensure you use the correct preposition after "participate". While "participate in" is most common, avoid incorrect usages such as "participate at" or "participate on". For example, the correct usage is "participate in the meeting", not "participate at the meeting".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "participate" is as an intransitive verb. It signifies the act of taking part in an activity or event. Ludwig provides numerous examples of this usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

8%

Less common in

Reference

3%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "participate" is a versatile and commonly used verb that signifies taking part in an activity or event. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across varied contexts, from news and media to formal business and scientific publications. While "participate" is frequently used, related alternatives like "take part", "get involved", and "join in" offer nuanced alternatives depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis. Remember to use the correct preposition "in" after "participate" to avoid common errors. Therefore, use "participate" when active involvement is emphasized in a neutral to professional tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take part

Implies joining in an activity or event.

get involved

Suggests a deeper level of commitment and engagement.

join in

Indicates involvement, often in a less formal or structured setting.

engage in

Highlights active involvement and interaction with something.

contribute to

Emphasizes providing assistance or support to a collective effort.

play a role

Suggests having a specific function or impact within a larger activity.

be a part of

Implies belonging to or being included in something.

cooperate in

Highlights working together with others towards a common goal.

share in

Suggests taking part in something that is also experienced by others.

lend a hand

Indicates offering assistance or support.

FAQs

How to use "participate" in a sentence?

"Participate" generally means to take part in something. For example, "I want to participate in the upcoming marathon", or "The company encourages employees to participate in volunteer activities".

What can I say instead of "participate"?

You can use alternatives like "take part", "get involved", or "join in" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "participate in" and "attend"?

"Participate in" implies active involvement, while "attend" simply means being present. You can attend a conference without actively participating, but if you present a paper, you are participating in it.

Is it correct to say "participate on" a team?

No, the correct phrasing is "participate in" a team or "be a member of" a team. "Participate on" is not standard English usage.