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’.

• 使用方法 play ～のために football.
• 使用方法 play ～のために basketball.
• 使用方法 play ～のために tennis.
• 使用方法 play ～のために volleyball.
• 使用方法 play ～のために 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'.

• 使用方法 go ～のために swimming.
• 使用方法 go ～のために sailing.
• 使用方法 go ～のために horse riding.
• 使用方法 go ～のために windsurfing.

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?

練習

スペイン語話者がよく犯す間違い

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

誤り： I go swim.
正しい： I go swimming.

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

誤り： I go football.
正しい： I play football.

よくある質問

Why do we say 'play football'?

当社では play ～のために football because it is a sport with a ball and it is a team game.

Why do we say 'go swimming'?

当社では go ～のために 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.