Phrasal verbs · Free lesson
Join in: take part with other people
At a picnic, people start singing. You know the song and begin singing with them. You join in.
Professor Scott MendozaMeaning in this lesson
join in
Take part in an activity with other people.
Example
“Everyone was clapping, so I joined in.”
I started clapping with the other people.
The short answer
Use join in for participating: “Can I join in?” You can name the activity after in: “join in the discussion.” Joining a club as a member is a different use of join.
Participation is more than being there.
“I joined in” says that you became involved in the activity. If the activity is already clear, no object is necessary. If you name it, keep it after in. Joined is the past form.
Compare the examples
They were dancing, and I joined in.
Mina joined in the discussion.
Can I join in?
Watching people dance does not mean you joined in the dancing.
Build the meaning step by step
Identify the shared activity
They are discussing the plan.
Describe participation
I’d like to join in the discussion.
Try it now
Who participated?
Read all answers and explanations
Lena started singing with the group. Which describes her participation?
Lena joined in.Joined in means she took part. Watching or leaving would describe different actions.
Keep the join in pattern and name the discussion.
I joined in the discussion.The activity follows in. Join us is valid without in, but us does not name the requested discussion.
You registered as a member of a photography club. Choose the membership statement.
I joined a photography club.Join a club describes becoming a member. Taking part in one discussion does not establish membership.
Build it yourself
Ask to take part
A group is already playing. Ask whether you can participate. Use every piece.
Start with Can; keep join and in together. Select a piece again to move it back.
Your question
0 of 4 piecesYour chosen pieces will appear here.
See a model answer
Can I join in?
Can I join in? asks to participate in the activity already understood.
A little more clarity
Common questions
A few useful details before you move on.
Does join in always need an activity after it?
No. You can leave the activity unstated when the conversation or situation makes it clear.
The others were laughing, and I joined in.
Can I say join us?
Yes. That is a valid invitation to be with people or participate with them. Do not change it to join in us.
Please join us for lunch.
Take it into your day
Join in the activity, or simply join in when everyone knows the activity.
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