Употребление глагола ‘play’

Today we`ll get acquainted with some rules of usage the verb TO PLAY.

It is translated into Russian играть. Think and tell: “What can we play?” We can play different board games, indoor and outdoor games. We can also play musical instruments. Look at the examples:

She can play the guitar. Она умеет играть на гитаре.

And

He can play American football. – он умеет играть в американский футбол.

Look and find the difference. She can play the guitar. He can play American football.

Have you noticed? If we speak about playing any musical instrument we have to use definite article THE before the instrument. Look – play the guitar.

If we speak about playing any sports game we don`t use any article. Look: play American football.

Now, be attentive and use THE where needed.

Sentence number 1 Vera likes to play … basketball. Do we need THE here or not? Basketball is a sports game, so we don`t use THE here. Vera likes to play basketball.

Sentence number 2 Nina can play … violin very well. Do we need THE in this case? Of course, we do. Violin is a musical instrument, so we must use THE here. Nina can play the violin.

Sentence number 3 Pasha played … hockey last week. Do we need THE in this sentence?  Hockey is a kind of sport.  We don`t use any article here. Pasha played hockey last week. No article is used.

And the last sentence for you.

 Sentence number 4 Helen is going to play … drums at the concert next week. Do we need anything here? Drums – is a musical instrument, so we have to use the. Helen is going to play the drums at the concert next week.

That`s all the information for today.