play in a tournament

Meaning

This phrase refers to participating in a structured competition involving multiple matches, games, or players, leading to a single winner. It is used in sports, board games, video games, and card games. The tone is neutral and suitable for casual or professional contexts.

Examples

• Our school's chess club is going to play in a tournament next weekend.

  Our school's chess club is going to play in a tournament next weekend.

• She has been practicing golf for months to play in a tournament.

  She has been practicing golf for months to play in a tournament.

• Have you ever wanted to play in a tournament against professional gamers?

  Have you ever wanted to play in a tournament against professional gamers?

• They traveled to another state to play in a tournament with thirty other teams.

  They traveled to another state to play in a tournament with thirty other teams.

• Unfortunately, he got injured and couldn't play in the tournament.

  Unfortunately, he got injured and couldn't play in the tournament.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ He is going to play on a tournament this Friday.

  ✓ He is going to play in a tournament this Friday.

  The correct preposition to use with 'tournament' is 'in', not 'on'.

• ✗ They played a tournament yesterday.

  ✓ They played in a tournament yesterday.

  To indicate participation in the overall event, you must include the preposition 'in'. Saying 'played a tournament' is grammatically awkward.

Related Expressions

Practice

• My local tennis club invited me to ___ next month, but I don't feel ready yet.

  💡 participate in a series of competitive matches

  Show answer

  play in a tournament

• To ___ of this scale, you need to register and pay the entry fee by Monday.

  💡 join and compete in a multi-game event

  Show answer

  play in a tournament