Participate TO, IN, Or AT| (10+ EXAMPLES)

Prepositions can dramatically alter the meaning of a sentence, and when used after certain verbs, they may completely change the context. One such example involves the word “participate.” Should you use “participate to,” “participate in,” or “participate at“? Choosing the right preposition is essential, as each has its own specific meaning and context. In this guide, we’ll explore the correct preposition to use with the verb “participate” and the rules you should follow to ensure your sentences make sense.

Should I Use “Participate To,” “Participate In,” or “Participate At”?

When it comes to choosing the correct preposition, it’s crucial to note that “participate to” is never correct. It is grammatically wrong and is not used by native speakers. The most common preposition used with “participate” is “in,” as in “participate in an event or activity.” This implies that the person is involved or actively engaged inside something, such as a meeting, activity, or event. On the other hand, “participate at” is less commonly used and generally refers to participating at a specific level or capacity, such as within a competition or academic standing.

Of the three, “participate in” is by far the most frequently used and the most grammatically correct. When someone participates, they are almost always participating inside a situation or activity, making “in” the most natural and logical preposition to follow.

When Should I Use “Participate To”?

The phrase “participate to” is grammatically incorrect when used in a standalone phrase. You cannot form valid sentences using “participate to” on its own, as it breaks the rules of English syntax. However, there are rare instances where “participate to” appears in sentences—specifically when it’s followed by a secondary clause.

In these cases, “to” does not act as a preposition directly related to “participate.” Instead, it introduces an infinitive verb that follows immediately after “to.” Let’s look at a few examples:

Examples

• I want to participate to help raise awareness.
• They participate to support the cause.
• We participate to make a difference.
• You participate to improve your skills.
• She participates to learn more about the subject.
• He participates to show his commitment.
• We all participate to build stronger relationships.
• They participate to gain more experience.
• I participate to contribute to the community.
• You participate to advance your career.
• We participate to inspire others to join.
• She participates to challenge herself.
• He participates to expand his knowledge.
• They participate to promote unity.
• We participate to collaborate on the project.
• I participate to stay active and healthy.
• You participate to fulfill a personal goal.
• They participate to enjoy the social aspect.
• She participates to enhance her leadership skills.
• He participates to support his team’s efforts. In these sentences, the word “to” is part of an infinitive phrase that follows the verb “participate.” The subject is simply stating their reason for participating. This is the only case where you’ll see “participate to” used correctly.

When Should I Use “Participate In”?

“Participate in” is the most common and widely accepted phrase in English when discussing involvement in an activity, event, or situation. This preposition is almost always appropriate, whether you are referring to a casual gathering, a professional meeting, or a sporting event. The key idea behind “participate in” is that you are actively involved inside the event or activity.

Examples of correct usage:

• I want to participate in the conference next week.
• She participates in community service every month.
• We should all participate in this discussion.
• They participated in the charity event last year.
• You must participate in the training to qualify for the job.
• He participates in many sports activities.
• Students are encouraged to participate in extracurricular programs.
• We participate in team-building exercises regularly.
• She participates in online forums for self-improvement.
• He participated in the marathon to support the cause.
• We participate in group projects to learn collaboration skills.
• You should participate in the voting process.
• They participated in the survey to share their opinions.
• He participates in workshops to improve his public speaking.
• I love to participate in cultural festivals.
• She participates in debates to enhance her critical thinking.
• We participate in environmental campaigns.
• He participates in conferences to network with professionals.
• You can participate in the webinar from anywhere in the world.
• They participate in the annual fundraiser every year.

In each of these sentences, the subject is taking part in something, which is why “participate in” works so well in these contexts. Whether you’re talking about a formal setting like a meeting or something as casual as a game, “participate in” is your go-to phrase.

When Should I Use “Participate At”?

The phrase “participate at” is more specific and less commonly used. It is generally reserved for contexts where participation occurs at a certain level or capacity. For example, you might say someone participates at a certain level in a competition, or they participate at a certain rank in a survey or study.

Examples to clarify:

• She will participate at the national conference next month.
• They participated at the highest level of competition.
• We will participate at the charity event this weekend.
• He participates at the same school as his brother.
• We need to participate at the meeting scheduled for Friday.
• The athletes participate at the international sports event every year.
• She participates at the advanced level in her language class.
• We will participate at the company’s annual retreat.
• They participate at the local community center every Saturday.
• He participated at the championship level last season.
• She will participate at the festival held downtown.
• I will participate at the online workshop next week.
• They participate at the regional science fair.
• We participated at the gala event last night.
• She participates at the top level in her field.
• They participated at the theater’s opening night performance.
• We will participate at the training seminar next month.
• He participates at the city council meetings regularly.
• They participate at the highest level of academic achievement.
• I will participate at the charity auction next weekend. 

 As you can see, “participate at” refers to participation in a specific level or ranking system. It is commonly used in academic, professional, or competitive contexts where participants are categorized based on levels or grades.

Other Prepositions That Can Be Used With “Participate”

While “in” and “at” are the most common prepositions used with “participate,” there are a few other prepositions that can be used in certain contexts:

Participate With

If you are participating alongside another person or group, you may use the phrase “participate with.” This form is less about the activity itself and more about the companionship or teamwork involved in the participation.

Examples:

• I will participate with my colleagues in the project.
• She participates with her friends in the charity run.
• They participate with their team in the annual competition.
• We participated with the local community to organize the event.
• He participates with his classmates in the science fair.
• We will participate with other volunteers in the cleanup effort.
• She participated with her family in the fundraising campaign.
• They participate with professionals from different industries.
• I enjoy participating with my neighbors in the block party.
• He will participate with experts to develop the new program.

Participate Through

The phrase “participate through” is used when you are participating via an intermediary—usually an organization or a third party. This is most common when referencing participation that occurs through an organization, company, or sponsor.

Examples:

• We will participate through the school’s volunteer program.
• She participates through the local community outreach group.
• They participate through an online platform for virtual events.
• He participates through his company’s corporate sponsorship.
• We participated through a partnership with a nonprofit organization.
• The students will participate through a scholarship program.
• They participate through the national health association.
• He participates through his church’s charity initiatives.
• She participated through a government-sponsored exchange program.
• We will participate through the university’s research collaboration.

FAQs

What preposition should I use after “participate”?

You should primarily use “participate in” when referring to taking part in an activity or event. This is the most common preposition used with “participate.” It emphasizes that the person is actively involved in something. For example:

• “She will participate in the conference.”
• “We should all participate in the project.”

Is it correct to use “participate at”?

Yes, “participate at” is correct, but it is used when you are referring to a specific location or level of participation. It indicates where or at what stage someone is participating. For example:

• “He will participate at the local sports event.”
• “They are participating at a competitive level.”

This preposition is useful when the place or level of the activity is being emphasized.

Can I say “participate to”?

No, “participate to” is grammatically incorrect in almost all contexts. However, it can be used in rare cases when followed by an infinitive verb that expresses a purpose. For example:

• “I want to participate to help the community.”
• “They participate to improve their skills.”

In these cases, the preposition “to” is not directly linked to “participate” but rather to the action or intention that follows.

What’s the difference between “participate in” and “participate at”?

“Participate in” is used for joining an activity or event, focusing on being inside or involved in something. For example:

• “We will participate in the seminar.”

On the other hand, “participate at” is more specific to the place or level of the participation. It refers to the location or context in which the participation occurs. For example:

• “She will participate at the national level.”

The key difference is that “participate in” refers to being involved in something, while “participate at” refers to where or at what level the involvement happens.

When should I use “participate with”?

“Participate with” is used when you are collaborating or participating alongside another person or group. It focuses on the companions or partners in the activity. For example:

• “I will participate with my team in the relay race.”
• “She participates with her colleagues in the research project.”

This preposition emphasizes the cooperative aspect of the participation, highlighting who you are doing it with.

What does “participate through” mean?

“Participate through” is used when participation happens via or through the help of an organization, channel, or intermediary. It refers to the means or method through which participation takes place. For example:

• “We participate through a community outreach program.”
• “They participate through the university’s internship program.”

This is commonly used when someone is participating by being part of a larger system or network.

Can I use “participate on”?

No, “participate on” is not typically correct or common in English. In most cases, “participate in” should be used instead to describe participation in events or activities. For example:

• Incorrect: “I will participate on the conference.”
• Correct: “I will participate in the conference.”

The preposition “on” is rarely, if ever, used after “participate.”

Can I use “participate for”?

“Participate for” is usually incorrect. However, it may occasionally be used when talking about participating on behalf of someone or for a specific cause. In most cases, “participate in” should be used for activities or events. For example:

• Incorrect: “I will participate for the competition.”
• Correct: “I will participate in the competition.”

However, you might use “participate for” in sentences like:

• “He participated for his team in the championship.”
• “She participates for charity causes.”

Conclusion

In conclusion, when deciding which preposition to use with the verb “participate,” your best option is almost always “participate in” because it is the most grammatically correct and widely applicable. You can use “participate at” when referring to a specific level of involvement or capacity, but avoid “participate to” unless it is followed by an infinitive verb.

To summarize:

• Participate in: Use this for general involvement in an event, activity, or meeting.
• Participate at: Use this when referring to participation at a specific level.
• Participate to: This is only correct when followed by an infinitive verb in a specific sentence structure.

By keeping these rules in mind, you’ll ensure that you always use the correct preposition with “participate” and avoid common grammatical pitfalls.