do not play for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "do not play for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone should not participate in a game or competition for a specific team or purpose. Example: "I have decided that I do not play for that team anymore due to their lack of support."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Flintoff's team do not play for a further three days.

The Guardian - Sport

They say, 'These do not play for the Italian champions.' Strunz!

The Guardian - Sport

We already have a league where our best players do not play for half of the campaign.

The Guardian - Sport

"The squad is so big that you sometimes find you do not play for a couple of weeks.

The Guardian - Sport

The Mariners do not play for money, but for the love of the game, the thrill of victory and a few beers afterward.

The New York Times

Redshirts, players who practice but do not play for a year so they can mature or recover from injury without losing any eligibility, can be a sizable percentage of a football squad.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

"Today I don't play for Tottenham.

Independent

"I don't play for July.

The New York Times - Sports

Don't play for anyone else.

The New York Times - Sports

But we don't play for money.

The New York Times - Arts

"I don't play for recognition.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use it in contexts where there's an expectation or possibility of playing for someone/something, to highlight the absence of that connection.

Common error

Avoid using "do not play for" when you mean 'do not play at all'. "Do not play" is sufficient if the intention is to advise against playing any game, not just for a specific entity.

Linguistic Context

"Do not play for" functions as a prohibitive phrase, typically used to express a decision or instruction against participating or competing on behalf of a specific team, organization, or cause. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's usable in written English and conveys the idea of choosing not to represent or act for a certain entity.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "do not play for" is a prohibitive phrase used to express the act of not participating or representing a specific entity, team, or cause. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It's considered 'common' in frequency, primarily appearing in news and media, as well as wiki contexts. When using this phrase, ensure clarity about the reasons behind the decision and avoid using it when simply advising against playing any game. Alternative phrases like "not compete for" or "not represent" can be used depending on the context. This phrase is grammatically correct, receives a solid expert rating, and is useful in various contexts to convey a clear message of non-participation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

refuse to play for

Adds the element of refusal or unwillingness to participate.

not compete for

Replaces 'play' with 'compete', emphasizing a more formal or serious context of competition.

not represent

Substitutes 'play for' with 'represent', focusing on the act of symbolizing or acting on behalf of a group.

not participate with

Uses 'participate with' instead of 'play for', indicating a broader involvement rather than specific gameplay.

not be affiliated with

Emphasizes a lack of formal connection or association.

not be on the team of

Directly states the absence of membership on a particular team.

not perform for

Replaces 'play' with 'perform', suggesting a context beyond sports, such as entertainment.

not act on behalf of

Focuses on the idea of not taking actions in the interest of a particular entity.

not fight for

Substitutes 'play' with 'fight', implying a struggle or contest for a cause or entity.

not support

Indicates a lack of endorsement or backing for a particular entity.

FAQs

How can I use "do not play for" in a sentence?

You can use "do not play for" to indicate that someone is not participating in a game or competition on behalf of a specific team or entity. For example, "I have decided that I "do not play for" that team anymore."

What can I say instead of "do not play for"?

You can use alternatives like "not compete for", "not represent", or "not participate with" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "do not play for" or "does not play for"?

"Do not play for" is used with plural subjects (e.g., 'They do not play for that team'), while "does not play for" is used with singular subjects (e.g., 'He does not play for that team').

What's the difference between "do not play for" and "do not play with"?

"Do not play for" indicates that someone isn't playing on behalf of a specific team or entity. "Do not play with", on the other hand, typically refers to playing alongside someone or using something in a playful manner. For example, 'Do not play with fire'.