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’.

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

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

Ejemplos

• 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?

Práctica

Errores habituales de los hispanohablantes

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

Incorrecto: I go swim.
Correcto: I go swimming.

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

Incorrecto: I go football.
Correcto: I play football.

Preguntas más frecuentes

Why do we say 'play football'?

Utilizamos play for football because it is a sport with a ball and it is a team game.

Why do we say 'go swimming'?

Utilizamos 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.