The next word in our vocabulary boost series is PLAY. PLAY is a high frequency verb that can be used as a synonym of pretend, behave, compete or participate in. There are numerous collocations and phrasal verbs that are formed using PLAY.
As recommended in our START method (HERE), you should always learn vocabulary as a short phrase and relate new words to synonyms and use them. Click (HERE) and (HERE) for advice on how to learn more vocabulary and HERE for an example of a great strategy to learn new words.
Collocations:
To learn new collocations and word patterns you should create phrases using them and also do exercises (HERE)
Play for a team
Play inside
Play outside
Play with someone
Play well
Play badly
Play an instrument
Play the piano
Play the flute
Play the guitar
Play tennis
Play rugby
Play badminton
Play football
Play for fun
Play a board game
Play in a group
Spend time at play
To stop play
Phrasal verbs:
The learning of phrasal verbs is best done using this method (HERE)
Play up – misbehave
The kids are playing up at the minute
Play up – exaggerate
My sister always plays up her troubles at work
Play away – have an affair
I fear my boyfriend is playing away
Play out – end in a certain way
Aston Villa and Albacete played out a draw last week
Play against – compete
Aston Villa play against Wolves this weekend
Play along – pretend to agree to something for the common good
At work, I just play along and do as the boss asks
Play at – pretend to do something
I was playing at revising for my exam, but I was really on YouTube
Play down – make something seem less important than it is
I played down my injury because I wanted to continue
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To learn how to use PLAY you need to practice and put these words and collocations into your own words to be able to remember them.
