he didn't join in the game.

No in in the 2nd. Bad collocation.

Marius HancuNo in in the 2nd. Bad collocation.

Thanks, Marius.

But why does the first one take the "in" while the second can't? Could you dig up a reason?

No, this is just the prevalent/idiomatical usage.

Buy a collocations dictionary.

Hi,

It might help you to consider this.

A game is an activity. A person is not an activity.

Clive

CliveHi,

It might help you to consider this.

A game is an activity. A person is not an activity.

Clive

Thanks, Clive.

Do you hint that join should be followed with a person while join in an activity?

Hi,

join in an activity?

Generally speaking, yes.

Clive

CliveHi,

join in an activity?

Generally speaking, yes.

Clive

Thanks, Clive.

Do you imply that join can be followed either by a person or inanimate objects? If yes, that's the key that opens a can of worms for non-native speakers.

I'm not sure what you mean about inanimate objects.

Albert joined the statues sitting on the bench?

We are going out for lunch. Do you wish to join us?

We are going out for lunch. Do you want to join in our outing?

Grammar GeekI'm not sure what you mean about inanimate objects.

Albert joined the statues sitting on the bench?

We are going out for lunch. Do you wish to join us?

We are going out for lunch. Do you want to join in our outing?

Thanks, GG, for your diverse illustratoins.

But could you induct a few rules of thumb fr

Hi,

Mary went for lunch. Tom joined her.

Tom joined a club.

Tom joined a team.

Tom joined a protest.

Tom joined a political party.

Clive