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’.

• Utilizzo play per football.
• Utilizzo play per basketball.
• Utilizzo play per tennis.
• Utilizzo play per volleyball.
• Utilizzo play per 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'.

• Utilizzo go per swimming.
• Utilizzo go per sailing.
• Utilizzo go per horse riding.
• Utilizzo go per windsurfing.

Esempi

• 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?

Esercitazione

Errori comuni per chi parla spagnolo

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

Errato: I go swim.
Corretto: I go swimming.

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

Errato: I go football.
Corretto: I play football.

Domande frequenti

Why do we say 'play football'?

Utilizziamo play per football because it is a sport with a ball and it is a team game.

Why do we say 'go swimming'?

Utilizziamo go per 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.