does not play for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "does not play for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone is not a member of a particular team or organization, especially in the context of sports. Example: "She does not play for the national team this year due to an injury."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

But he does not play for Australia.

The Guardian - Sport

But Kurt Zouma does not play for Paris Saint-Germain, the biggest team in France.

Independent

He is not a touchdown factory, and he does not play for a national-title contender.

The New York Times - Sports

That means it's a very good thing that Sanchez does not play for the Cardinals or the Giants (baseball versions).

The New York Times - Sports

"A player who does not play for his club is annoying for a coach," Wilmots told Belgian newspaper Le Soir.

Independent

The athlete, Georges Laraque, was released by the Montreal Canadiens in January; he does not play for the N.H.L. team.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

"If tha' doesn't play for us, tha' doesn't play for anybody".

BBC

"He doesn't play for second or top-10s.

Los Angeles Times

And he certainly doesn't play for the money.

Los Angeles Times

3. David Ortiz David Ortizz doesn't play for the Boston Red Sox anymore.

Huffington Post

Sloane did not play for U.S.C.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "does not play for", ensure the context clearly indicates the specific team, organization, or entity the subject is not associated with. This avoids ambiguity and enhances clarity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid assuming the reader knows the implied team or organization. Always specify it, especially if it's not immediately obvious from the surrounding text. Vague references can lead to confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "does not play for" functions as a verb phrase indicating a lack of membership or participation in a specific team or organization. As noted by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct for expressing this negation.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "does not play for" is a grammatically correct and commonly used verb phrase to indicate that someone is not a member of or affiliated with a specific team or organization. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. Its primary context is in news and media, with a neutral register suitable for professional and general discussions. When using the phrase, ensure you specify the team or organization to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives include "is not a member of" and "is not on the team". While relatively uncommon, its meaning is clear and widely understood.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is not a member of

Focuses on the lack of membership rather than the act of playing.

is not on the team

Directly states the absence from a team roster.

is not affiliated with

Emphasizes the lack of official connection or association.

is not contracted to

Highlights the absence of a contractual agreement.

is not signed with

Similar to 'is not contracted to', focusing on the signing of a contract.

is not representing

Indicates the lack of representation in a sporting or formal context.

is no longer with

Specifies a past association that has ended.

parted ways with

Indicates a formal separation from a team or organization.

is not participating in

Focuses on the lack of involvement in specific activities or competitions.

is excluded from

Highlights the exclusion from a particular group or activity.

FAQs

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

Use "does not play for" to indicate that someone is not a member of a particular team or organization. For example: "He "does not play for" the national team this year due to an injury".

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

You can use alternatives like "is not a member of", "is not on the team", or "is not affiliated with" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "do not play for" instead of "does not play for"?

No, use "do not play for" with plural subjects (e.g. "They do not play for that team"). Use "does not play for" with singular subjects (e.g. "He does not play for that team").

What's the difference between "does not play for" and "did not play for"?

"Does not play for" indicates a current state, while "did not play for" indicates a past state. For example: "He "does not play for" the team this year" vs. "He "did not play for" the team last year".