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’.

• Verwendung play für football.
• Verwendung play für basketball.
• Verwendung play für tennis.
• Verwendung play für volleyball.
• Verwendung play für 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'.

• Verwendung go für swimming.
• Verwendung go für sailing.
• Verwendung go für horse riding.
• Verwendung go für windsurfing.

Beispiele

• 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?

Übung

Häufige Fehler bei Spanischsprechern

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

Falsch: I go swim.
Richtig: I go swimming.

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

Falsch: I go football.
Richtig: I play football.

Häufig gestellte Fragen

Why do we say 'play football'?

Wir verwenden play für football because it is a sport with a ball and it is a team game.

Why do we say 'go swimming'?

Wir verwenden go für 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.