participates
v. B1 Intermediate US //pɑɹˈtɪsəˌpeɪts// UK //pɑːtˈɪsɪpˌeɪts// par·tic·i·pates
v. to take part in an activity or event with other people.
v. to take part in or become involved in an activity, event, or group. Intransitive — requires a prepositional phrase to specify the activity.
She participates in every class discussion.
The local community participates in the annual festival by hosting street parties and parades.
While the entire department participates in the initial brainstorming phase, only a small committee is responsible for the final execution of the project.
Usage
The verb is intransitive and almost always takes the preposition 'in' before the activity or event.
Pitfall
he participates the meetinghe participates in the meetingParticipate is intransitive; it cannot take a direct object and requires the preposition 'in'.