What sports were you doing then? vs What sports were you playing then?

Both phrases are correct and can be used interchangeably. They both inquire about the sports someone was engaged in during a specific past time. The choice between 'doing' and 'playing' depends on personal preference or the specific context of the conversation.

Last updated: March 24, 2024 • 602 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used to inquire about the sports someone was engaged in during a specific past time.

"What sports were you doing then?"

This phrase is used to ask about the specific sports activities someone was involved in at a particular time in the past.

Show examples from the web [+]

But what were you doing then?
What were you doing till then?
What were you doing with him, then?
What were you doing down there then?
What were you doing outside the nun's bedroom then?
So what were you doing on the trampoline then?
Well, what were you doing in here, then?
What exactly were you doing here?
- What were you doing in Australia?
What were you doing with the blue...
- But what were you doing there?
What were you doing on the beach near...
Were you doing cocaine with someone else?
What were you doing down there by yourself...
You tell me exactly what were you doing there.
What were you doing during those 12 years...
What were you doing while I was growing up by myself...
What were you doing skipping class?
What were you doing in his office?
And what were you doing in southampton?

Alternatives:

what sports were you participating in then?
what sports were you engaging in then?

This phrase is correct and commonly used to inquire about the sports someone was engaged in during a specific past time.

"What sports were you playing then?"

This phrase is used to ask about the specific sports activities someone was involved in at a particular time in the past.

Show examples from the web [+]

Were you playing with my dolls?
Who were you playing pool with?
Were you playing tennis yesterday morning?
Who were you playing the joke on?
Were you playing roadkill on us?
Then why were you playing peekaboo with me?
Okay, who were you playing "lipstick party" with?
Jocelyn, were you playing in here?
What were you playing at yesterday, going to the community centre?
Max were you playing in the guest room again?
Were you playing St. Agnes Eve with Miss G last night?
Were you playing hard to get or were you auditioning for the Miracle Worker?
Then why were you playing hide-and-go-seek in his closet?
What sports did you play then?
You see, to Pop, sports were a religion.
I still don't know what sport that was.
Following long discussions and after compromises were reached, specific provisions on sport were laid down in the Lisbon Treaty.
People also thought that - at least as far as sports were concerned - Israel would immediately facilitate freedom of movement fort Palestinians.
Obviously if France is playing then it is reasonable to expect them to have the lion's share of the tickets.
No thanks to you playing keep-away.

Alternatives:

what sports were you participating in then?
what sports were you engaging in then?

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What sports were you doing then? vs What sports were you playing then?