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’.

• 使用 play for football.
• 使用 play for basketball.
• 使用 play for tennis.
• 使用 play for volleyball.
• 使用 play for 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'.

• 使用 go for swimming.
• 使用 go for sailing.
• 使用 go for horse riding.
• 使用 go for windsurfing.

示例

• 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?

练习

西班牙语母语者常犯的错误

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

错误： I go swim.
正确： I go swimming.

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

错误： I go football.
正确： I play football.

常见问题

Why do we say 'play football'?

我们使用 play for football because it is a sport with a ball and it is a team game.

Why do we say 'go swimming'?

我们使用 go for 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.