Participates in, as one promises (7)

I believe the answer is:

engages

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This could be a double definition.

'participates' is the first definition.
The definition and answer can be both to do with social activities as well as being verbs in their -s form.
Perhaps you can see a link between them that I don't see?

'as one promises' is the second definition.
The answer and definition can be both to do with communicating as well as being verbs in their -s form.
Maybe you can see an association between them that I don't see?

'in' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for engages that I've seen before include "books" , "Employs, hires" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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