Describing activities: do, play or go to?

by | 28 Oct 2020 | General English, Grammar

We use different verbs to describe activities. The type of activity dictates with verb we use.

 

We can use ‘do’ with activities we do in a place

 

 

Shelly likes the idea of going to do yoga

Jenny wants to do Judo as it may help with her confidence.

If you want to do aerobics, it costs £15 for a one hour class.

 

We can conjugate verbs with activities:

 

We did weight training together for the first time. (past)

Who thought that doing Pilates would be so difficult? (continuous)

John will do yoga for the first time after his surgery, I hope he will be OK! (future)

 

_____

 

We use go to when visiting places:

 

 

Let’s go to the circus!

On Friday they like going to the supermarket.

During the Covid 19 pandemic it is difficult to go to the theatre.

 

_____

 

We use go with activity nouns that end in ‘ing:

 

 

It is always the same. After school they all go skateboarding together in the park.

 

It is too cold to go swimming during the winter.

 

If you have a pass you can go skiing every day anywhere you like.

 

_____

 

We can conjugate these verbs with other ideas:

 

 

I was thinking of going to play backgammon with Fred. 

 

They were considering going skating on the lake if you are interested.

 

Who wants to do some hiking on the weekend?

_____

 

We play games and ballgames:

 

 

You can join us but remember, we play cards for money. 

 

At school I would play tennis, but would always lose.

 

We are looking for 11 girls who would like to play football.

 

_____

 

 

What do you do on your holiday?

How do you spend your free time?

What do you like to?

What have you done?

What would you suggest/like doing?

 

Confusables

 

Maybe there is something you don’t like doing?

 

 

 

 

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