ENGLISH
REFERENCE

participate in sth

fixed phr..
B1 Intermediate Oxford

fixed phr.. to take part in an activity or event with other people.

fixed phr.. to take part in or become involved in an activity, event, or process; requires the preposition 'in' to link the verb to the specific activity.


SIMPLE

I want to participate in the school play.

CONTEXTUAL

Many local businesses decided to participate in the charity auction to support the new hospital wing.

COMPLEX

Scholars from around the globe were invited to participate in the symposium to discuss the ethical implications of artificial intelligence.

Usage

the verb is almost always followed by the preposition 'in' before the noun representing the activity.

Teaching tip

contrast with 'take part in' (more common in speech) and 'join' (which does not require 'in'); 'participate' is slightly more formal and common in professional or academic contexts.

Pitfall

He participated the meeting.He participated in the meeting.the verb 'participate' is intransitive and requires the preposition 'in' to connect to the activity.

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