Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
they participated
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase 'they participated' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to talk about how a group of people took part in an activity or event. For example, "They participated in the parade with great enthusiasm."
✓ Grammatically correct
Health Economics Review
The Washington Post
Independent
The New Yorker
The New York Times
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Stanford University
The Guardian
The New York Times - Sports
BBC
Journal of Software Engineering Research and Development
Functional Linguistics
European Transport Research Review
International Journal of Emergency Medicine
Research and Practice in Technology Enhanced Learning
Energy, Sustainability and Society
Asian-Pacific Journal of Second and Foreign Language Education
Computational Social Networks
Forbes
TechCrunch
HuffPost
Wikipedia
Huffington Post
BMC Veterinary Research
Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica
Diabetologia
BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders
BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
60 human-written examples
They participated voluntarily and the participant could stop at any time.
Science
They participated in retail.
News & Media
"They participated indirectly".
News & Media
"Have you found many that admit they participated?" I hadn't.
News & Media
They participated in demonstrations, and might have provoked a riot".
News & Media
They participated in block clubs and church groups.
News & Media
They participated in a local seminar on racial healing.
News & Media
And two years ago, they participated in a lesbian wedding.
News & Media
Afterward, they participated in a daylong forum on school violence.
News & Media
They participated in teh Good Pitch as well [https://goodpitch.org/].
They participated in a week and a half of sessions.
Academia
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When using "they participated", ensure the context clearly defines what "they" refers to and what activity they were involved in. This enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity for the reader.
Common error
Avoid using "they participated" without a clear antecedent for "they". Always ensure the reader knows exactly who is being referred to, or rephrase to be more specific such as, "The students participated...".
Source & Trust
85%
Authority and reliability
4.6/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "they participated" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the action of a group engaging in an activity. According to Ludwig AI, it's a grammatically correct and usable English phrase. The Ludwig examples illustrate its use across diverse contexts to denote active involvement.
Frequent in
News & Media
35%
Science
30%
Academia
15%
Less common in
Wiki
5%
Formal & Business
5%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, "they participated" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to denote involvement in an activity or event. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, supported by numerous examples across diverse sources such as news outlets, scientific journals, and academic papers. While simple and direct, it's crucial to ensure clarity in pronoun reference to avoid ambiguity. Related phrases like "they took part" or "they were involved" can provide nuance, but "they participated" remains a versatile and reliable option for expressing active engagement.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
they took part
Replaces "participated" with a synonym, maintaining the core meaning of involvement.
they were involved
Shifts the focus to the state of being connected or implicated in something.
they contributed
Emphasizes the act of giving or adding something to a common effort.
they engaged in
Highlights the active involvement and interaction with an activity or event.
they played a role
Focuses on the specific function or part they had in a larger activity.
they were active in
Similar to 'involved', but emphasizes ongoing or repeated participation.
they joined in
Highlights the act of becoming part of a group or activity.
they collaborated on
Implies working jointly with others towards a common goal.
they lent a hand
More informal, suggesting assistance or support.
they shared in
Suggests experiencing something collectively with others.
FAQs
How can I use "they participated" in a sentence?
You can use "they participated" to describe how a group of people were involved in an event. For example, "They participated in the community cleanup" or "They participated in the research study".
What are some alternatives to "they participated"?
Some alternatives include "they took part", "they were involved", or "they contributed", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.
Is it correct to say "they participated at" instead of "they participated in"?
The correct preposition to use with "they participated" is "in". Saying "they participated at" is grammatically incorrect. Always use "they participated in" when describing their involvement in an activity.
What's the difference between "they participated" and "they attended"?
"They attended" simply means they were present at an event. "They participated", on the other hand, implies that they were actively involved in the event, not just present. Attending is passive, while participating is active.
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
85%
Authority and reliability
4.6/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested