TextRanch

The best way to perfect your writing.

Discover why 1,062,726 users count on TextRanch to get their English corrected!

1. Input your text below.
2. Get it corrected in a few minutes by our editors.
3. Improve your English!

One of our experts will correct your English.

Our experts

he was playing the piano. vs he was playing with the piano

Both phrases are correct, but they convey slightly different meanings. 'He was playing the piano.' indicates that he was playing music on the piano, while 'He was playing with the piano.' suggests that he was interacting with the physical piano in a playful or non-musical way.

Last updated: March 12, 2024 • 961 views

he was playing the piano.

This phrase is correct and commonly used to indicate someone playing music on the piano.

This phrase is used to describe someone performing music on the piano.

Examples:

  • She was playing the piano beautifully.
  • He has been playing the piano since he was a child.
  • [M] [T] Mary plays the piano. [M] [T] Can you play the piano? [M] [T] He played piano by ear. [M] [T] He was playing the piano. [M] [T] She plays the piano by ear.
  • He's led a strange life; he's a bright guy – a musician, a scholar with a Ph.D in Shakespearian studies and a published poet - but he was playing the piano for ...
  • And then he went nuts again when he heard he was playing the piano alongside Jon and Curtis.” Wess is featured on flute on Quincy Jones' “Jessica's Day,” ...
  • It was Gould's mother who taught him to sing along with the music when he was playing the piano at home. By the time he noticed that he had retained the habit ...

Alternatives:

  • He was playing a piece on the piano.
  • He was practicing the piano.
  • He was performing on the piano.
  • He was playing a melody on the piano.
  • He was tickling the ivories.

he was playing with the piano

This phrase is correct and can be used to indicate someone interacting with the physical piano in a non-musical way.

This phrase is used when someone is engaging with the piano in a playful or non-musical manner.

Examples:

  • He was playing with the piano keys.
  • She was playing with the piano pedals.
  • The children were playing with the piano cover.
  • Apr 1, 2013 ... The sound is… Anyway, I don't know who he was playing with, the piano player— I can't give a name. A European, French, American, Italian…

Alternatives:

  • He was fiddling with the piano.
  • He was toying with the piano.
  • He was tinkering with the piano.
  • He was messing around with the piano.
  • He was exploring the piano.

Related Comparisons

He is playing golf at the moment vs He plays golf at the moment I was playing a child. vs I was playing a children. he is playing the cricket vs he is playing cricket he was the veteran vs he was a veteran he was playing the guitar vs and he made my day better than it already was

What Our Customers Are Saying

Our customers love us! We have an average rating of 4.79 stars based on 283,125 votes.
Also check out our 2,100+ reviews on TrustPilot (4.9TextRanch on TrustPilot).

Why choose TextRanch?

Lowest prices
Up to 50% lower than other online editing sites.

Fastest Times
Our team of editors is working for you 24/7.

Qualified Editors
Native English experts for UK or US English.

Top Customer Service
We are here to help. Satisfaction guaranteed!