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Play the basketball vs Play basketball

The correct phrase is "play basketball." The phrase "play the basketball" is incorrect as we do not use an article before sports like basketball. The proper construction is to name the sport without using a preceding article.
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Explained by Gregg
Editor at TextRanch

Last updated: September 19, 2024 • 16607 views

This phrase is incorrect. We do not use an article before sports like basketball.

"Play the basketball "

Incorrect usage. Do not use an article before sports like basketball.
  • Dec 22, 2021 ... How about we play the basketball? I'm no Harvey Globetrotter, but... S06E08.
  • League play is fun, yet competitive. Typically held on Saturdays and Sundays, our divisions are separated into age ranges. Each division plays eight games, and ...
  • Mar 17, 2020 ... Can't play the basketball or soccer game on messenger in a group chat but my friend can. Upvote 9. Downvote 2 Go to comments
  • Sep 19, 2023 ... With nothing to lose, I marched into the basketball coach's office the next day and told him, “I want to play.” The basketball coach, Bill ...
  • Oct 6, 2019 ... How to play the basketball mode? In the trophies they talk about basketball mode. Seen in trailer too. Can't find it in main menu. The author ...
  • Oct 18, 2024 ... ... watch me take on the court - UK style! UK people not play the basketball only me ;). 1 view · 11 minutes ago ME8 6HX ...more. Longas. 556.
  • ... play. The Basketball Diaries is a diary, after all, so who is the intended "listener"? Carroll never writes to "Dear Diary"; he always appears to be writing ...
  • Jun 4, 2012 ... an instruction for how to play the basketball game with two lines and arrows on each. More like this. wordpressdotcom · WordPress.com. 3.7M ...
  • Planning on going to #SkyRanchPampanga? Make sure to play the Basketball game, guys ! Show your family and squad your shooting skills! #HappyMemories.

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"Play basketball"

Use this phrase to talk about participating in the sport of basketball.

Examples:

  • I love to play basketball with my friends.
  • She wants to play basketball professionally.
  • Do you play basketball at school?
  • Let's go outside and play basketball.
  • Playing basketball is a great way to stay active.
  • 1 day ago ... It's just a playful jab at Yoshi, who obviously doesn't play basketball much recreationally (who cares?), and we're all fans of a city that ...
  • Apr 14, 2016 ... They play basketball, too. We had some courts outside in our hometown. When they would play on those courts, I would watch when I was a ...
  • PLAY Basketball provides a cultural environment that promotes the fundamentals and both physical and mental aspects of basketball.
  • Aug 12, 2023 ... 12 votes, 29 comments. One of my friends bought me a pair of Nike running shoes and I was wondering if they could be used to play basketball ...
  • Aug 3, 2017 ... It wasn't a matter of, “Will I ever play basketball for money?” That was going to definitely happen. It was more like, “How high can I go ...
  • Dec 28, 2022 ... Let me just play basketball, practice, give me some endorsements fine, but that's it I'm just trying to grind! This game is infuriating.
  • Jan 6, 2020 ... My boys would like to play basketball on their off days - since there aren't any courts at the resort we are staying at, are we allowed to ...
  • Sep 8, 2021 ... What do I have to do to play basketball in college? I didn't get no offers in my high school career, played bad my senior year but been working ...
  • Mar 5, 2024 ... Why Startups play basketball and scale-ups play football (soccer).
  • Jan 10, 2018 ... ... play basketball at in the area. Oh that's easy, there are LOTS of places to play basketball here. It just depends what you're looking for ...

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