When Do We Use ‘Play’ with Sports?

We use the verb play for sports that involve a ball. We also use play for team sports and competitive games.

Think about sports where you ‘play a game’.

• Использование play для football.
• Использование play для basketball.
• Использование play для tennis.
• Использование play для volleyball.
• Использование play для golf.

When Do We Use 'Go' with Activities?

We use the verb go for activities that end with -ing. These are often individual activities or activities that involve moving from one place to another.

Think about activities where you 'go somewhere to do something'.

• Использование go для swimming.
• Использование go для sailing.
• Использование go для horse riding.
• Использование go для windsurfing.

Примеры

• I play football every Saturday.
• She wants to play tennis.
• They play basketball at school.
• We go swimming in the summer.
• He likes to go sailing.
• Do you go horse riding?

Практика

Распространенные ошибки у носителей испанского языка

Many Spanish speakers sometimes use do или make for activities where English uses go или play.

For example, you might say hacer natación in Spanish. But in English, we say go swimming.

It is also common to forget the -ing ending after go.

Неправильно: I go swim.
Правильно: I go swimming.

Remember, for sports with a ball, always use play.

Неправильно: I go football.
Правильно: I play football.

Часто задаваемые вопросы

Why do we say 'play football'?

Мы используем play для football because it is a sport with a ball and it is a team game.

Why do we say 'go swimming'?

Мы используем go для swimming because it is an activity that ends in -ing.

Is there a simple rule to remember?

Yes! Use play for sports with a ball or team games. Use go for activities that end with -ing.