Words / B1

pah-TIS-ip-ayt/pɑːˈtɪsɪpeɪt/

Participate means take part, often in a slightly formal way. Participate in a discussion / a survey / a sport. Join can mean become a member; attend is only be present; take part is the everyday pair. Participant is the person; participation is the noun. A common error is “participate to” — use in.

Meaning

To take part in an activity.

Examples

• “Everyone should participate in the discussion.”
• “Students are expected to participate in class.”
• “Over 200 runners participated in the race.”

Good to know

participate in + noun. Everyday: take part. Person: participant. Noun: participation.

Near in meaning

take part

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