take part

[Tan Elaine]

A badminton competition was held in John's school. He decided to take part.

Is the second sentence acceptable?

Many thanks.

[svartnik]

Not in this context, in my humble opinion.

The adverbial complement is part of the nucleus of the sentence, thus can not be removed.
He decided to take part in it.

However,
There were apples going spare. I decided to take part (=take my share).

[engee30]

A badminton competition was held in John's school. He decided to take part.

Is the second sentence acceptable?

Many thanks.

There's nothing wrong with the sentence, svartnik.
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/defi...5199&dict=CALD

[Anglika]

A badminton competition was held in John's school. He decided to take part.

Is the second sentence acceptable?

Many thanks.

Yes - and frequently used.

[Tan Elaine]

Thanks to all of you for having replied to my query.

[svartnik]

Cambridge Dictionaries Online - Cambridge University Press

[engee30]

http://dictionary.cambridge.org/defi...5199&dict=CALD
I'll have to check her eligibility to take part.

[Tan Elaine]

Thanks, Svartnik.

I too was surprised that the link provided nothing related to the topic.

[Tan Elaine]

Thanks, Engee, for the clarification.

[konungursvia]

It is perfectly correct.