to participate

USAGE SUMMARY

"to participate" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it when you want to express the idea of taking part in an activity. For example, "The employees had the opportunity to participate in a seminar on new technology."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"He wanted to participate".

The New York Times

Register online to participate.

The New York Times

Aftergood declined to participate.

The New Yorker

Foxconn agreed to participate.

The New York Times

Mason agreed to participate.

The New York Times - Magazine

"We wanted them to participate.

The New York Times

I invite you to participate.

The New York Times

To participate, write in below.

The New York Times

They were ready to participate.

The New York Times

Just choose not to participate.

The New York Times - Magazine

I want everyone to participate.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to participate" when you want to emphasize the act of taking part in something, especially when there are formal rules or procedures involved. For example, "Employees are encouraged "to participate" in the company's wellness program."

Common error

While "to participate" is generally acceptable, avoid overuse in casual conversations. Simpler alternatives like "to join in" or "to get involved" might sound more natural. For example, instead of saying "Do you want "to participate" in the game?", consider "Do you want to join in the game?"

Linguistic Context

"To participate" functions primarily as an infinitive verb phrase. It typically expresses the action of taking part in something, often indicating a voluntary or encouraged involvement. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples showing its use in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to participate" is a very common and grammatically sound infinitive phrase used to express the action of taking part in something. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use across diverse contexts. While suitable for most situations, consider using simpler alternatives like "to join in" for informal conversations. The phrase sees frequent usage in news and media, wiki, and formal business contexts, with authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian frequently employing it. When writing, aim to use "to participate" when emphasizing active engagement, following procedures, or describing involvement in formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to take part

This alternative uses a different verb, "take", to convey the act of joining in.

to get involved

This alternative emphasizes the aspect of becoming actively engaged.

to join in

This option focuses on the action of becoming part of a group activity.

to contribute

This suggests providing something of value to an activity or cause.

to engage

This implies active and deliberate involvement.

to partake

This is a more formal way of saying to take part or share.

to play a role

This emphasizes having a specific function or part in an activity.

to be a participant

This shifts the focus to the state of being involved.

to collaborate

This stresses working together with others in an activity.

to lend a hand

This implies offering assistance or support.

FAQs

How can I use "to participate" in a sentence?

You can use "to participate" in various contexts to indicate taking part in an activity. For example, "We encourage everyone "to participate" in the survey", or "The school invites parents "to participate" in the annual fundraiser".

What are some alternatives to using "to participate"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases such as "to take part", "to get involved", or "to join in" as alternatives to "to participate".

Is it better to say "to participate" or "to be a participant"?

The choice depends on the context. "To participate" emphasizes the action of taking part, while "to be a participant" focuses on the state of being involved. For example, "We encourage everyone "to participate" in the event" versus "Each member needs "to be a participant" to make the session interactive".

In what contexts is "to participate" most appropriate?

"To participate" is suitable in formal or neutral contexts when you want to emphasize active involvement or following established procedures. It is often used in business, academic, or official settings, but can sometimes be replaced with alternatives like "to contribute", "to engage", or "to play a role" in different settings.