Learn
Sports and instruments
Say play football, play tennis, and play chess. In these examples, musical instruments take the: play the guitar, play the drums. Learn the whole phrase, not just play.
Activities with go
Go swimming and go cycling are activity phrases. Do not put play before every hobby: read books and draw pictures already have a verb.
What do you like?
I like drawing. describes a preference. In this lesson, use an ing form after like. She likes drawing. has s on likes because the subject is she. Enjoying an activity is different from being skilled at it.
Worked examples
I play chess, and my sister plays the drums.
Chess has no the. The drums is the phrase used for playing drums.
We like cycling. We go cycling on Saturdays.
Like describes a preference; go cycling names the activity.
Try it yourself
Your turn
Type the missing word, number, or sign. Spaces in large numbers are allowed. Try first, then open the explanation.
Plan an imaginary weekend with three hobbies. Write one sentence each with play, go, and like.
See an example answer
I play tennis. I go cycling. I like drawing maps.
Check your knowledge
Choose one answer for each question. You can revise your answers and check again.
Answer key
- play football. The sport football does not need the.
- play the guitar. The phrase is play the guitar.
- go. Go cycling is the complete phrase.
- plays. Use plays with he in this positive sentence.
- I enjoy painting.. Like expresses enjoyment without claiming a level of skill.