are not playing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are not playing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone or a group is not currently engaged in a game or activity. Example: "The children are not playing outside because it started to rain."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

General Discussion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We are not playing games.

The New York Times

"They are not playing legally," he said.

The New York Times

But those teams are not playing Denver.

The New York Times - Sports

"The big boys are not playing.

The New York Times

These e-entrepreneurs are not playing around.

The Guardian - Tech

"They are not playing like true Yankees".

The New York Times - Sports

We are not playing a numbers game.

The Guardian - Money

They are not playing football any more".

The Guardian - Sport

You are not playing for anything else".

The New York Times - Sports

And they are not playing their part".

The Guardian

I agree that Tottenham are not playing at their best.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are not playing" to clearly indicate a lack of participation or engagement in a specific activity. Ensure the context makes it clear who or what is not playing and why. For example, "The children are not playing outside because of the rain."

Common error

Avoid using "are not playing" when a more specific verb phrase would be more appropriate. For instance, instead of saying "They are not playing attention", say "They are not paying attention" for better clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are not playing" functions as a verb phrase indicating a state of non-participation or inactivity. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and offers numerous examples where it conveys that someone or something is not currently engaged in a particular activity. The examples from Ludwig show a variety of contexts, ranging from sports to business.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Sport

25%

General Discussion

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are not playing" is a versatile verb phrase used to indicate a lack of participation or engagement in an activity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently appears in various contexts, including news reports, sports commentary, and general conversations. The phrase carries a neutral tone and can be adapted to suit both formal and informal settings. While generally used to state a fact, it can also convey disapproval or criticism. Understanding its nuances and appropriate contexts ensures effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

aren't participating

Emphasizes a lack of involvement or taking part in something.

are not taking part

Similar to "aren't participating", but can be more formal.

are not competing

Specifically refers to the absence from a competition or contest.

are not involved

General term for not being connected to or participating in something.

are not performing

Highlights a lack of execution or delivery of a task or role.

are not in action

Focuses on the state of being inactive or not currently operating.

are sitting out

Suggests a temporary absence, often in sports or games.

are not functioning

Implies a lack of proper operation or working order.

are on the sidelines

Implies being excluded or not actively involved in an activity.

are out of the game

Indicates complete removal or elimination from an activity.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "are not playing" in a sports context?

In sports, you can replace "are not playing" with phrases like "are sitting out", "are on the bench", or "are injured depending on the reason for their absence.

What's the difference between "are not playing" and "are not working"?

"Are not playing" indicates a lack of participation in a game or activity, while "are not working" suggests a malfunction or lack of functionality. For example, "The kids are not playing because it's bedtime" versus "The computer is not working because of a virus".

Is it ever appropriate to use "aren't playing" instead of "are not playing"?

"Aren't playing" is a contraction of "are not playing" and is perfectly acceptable in informal contexts. In formal writing, it's generally preferred to use the full form, "are not playing".

What are some alternatives to "are not playing fair"?

Instead of "are not playing fair", you could use phrases like "are cheating", "are being dishonest", or "are not following the rules" to emphasize the lack of fairness.