football

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "football" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to refer to the sport of the same name. For example, "The young boys were playing football in the park."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The contract with the corporation, that will keep him as its face of football until 2020, is non-exclusive, and the former footballer is thought to be near to announcing that he will also front BT Sport's live Champions League coverage next season.

The Guardian - Sport

We can't constantly supervise everyone in football," insisted Blatter.

The Guardian - Sport

"He is the outstanding football presenter of his generation, combining great authority from his very distinguished playing career with wonderful broadcasting instincts and sharpness – making him a true star performer".

The Guardian - Sport

"The UWA vice chancellor found himself in an impossible position when the centre was used as a political football.

The Guardian

Members of a well-known London football dynasty that also numbers Les, Dennis, Bradley and Clive among its members, the pair will conduct the draw at approximately 2pm, with five different third-round matches either ongoing or still to begin.

The Guardian - Sport

Unlikely to be as pleasant on the eye, but no less explosive, that particular showdown is scheduled for Saturday, with the fixture generator having unwittingly maximised excitement among Iceland's football followers by pitting the Premier League's two potential title winners against each other on the final day of the season.

The Guardian - Sport

There are such totems of postmodern urbanism as a Chinatown, a gay village and a bohemian Northern Quarter, fed by two leading universities and two successful football teams.

The Guardian

Or, putting the geography to one side, to mid-table in the most watched league in world football via one relegation, a painful administration and 11 different managers – permanent, interim or caretaker – at Palace alone.

The Guardian - Sport

I've watched a lot of Premier League and Championship football over the years and I've always been really impressed with Carrow Road and the Norwich fans and the way they get the place going when they get behind the team.

The Guardian - Sport

The papers were full of pessimistic predictions regarding Javier Zanetti's future in professional football after the 39-year-old tore his Achilles tendon during Inter's defeat to Palermo last month.

The Guardian - Sport

Marco Materazzi might have retired from playing football, but his career as professional antagonist is still going strong.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about "football", be specific about which type of football you are referring to (e.g., American football, soccer, Australian rules football) to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "football" without specifying the type of game, especially when writing for an international audience, as the term can refer to different sports in different regions.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "football" is as a noun, referring to a sport played with a ball. Ludwig shows its usage in contexts ranging from general discussions about sports to specific leagues and games. The analyzed data proves that this word follows the correct grammar rules.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term “football” is a very common noun used to describe various sports played around the world. As Ludwig's AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used, primarily in news and media contexts. Due to its broad usage and the existence of multiple sports sharing the name, it is important to provide context to avoid ambiguity. Common alternatives include "soccer", "American football", and "Australian rules football". Best practices for using “football” involve specifying which sport is being discussed, especially when addressing international audiences. The frequency and authoritative sources using the term confirm its established place in the English language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

soccer

This is the common term for football in the United States and some other countries.

association football

This is the formal name for soccer, clarifying which type of football is meant.

the sport of football

This phrase emphasizes that "football" is a sport.

gridiron football

This specifically refers to American football.

American football

Another term used to refer to gridiron football, differentiating it from other forms of football.

Australian rules football

This specifies the unique sport played primarily in Australia.

professional football

Focuses on the commercialized and competitive aspect of the sport.

the beautiful game

A more poetic and general reference to football, typically soccer, emphasizing its aesthetic qualities.

football match

Describes a specific event of playing football, also known as a game.

football league

Refers to an organization of football teams.

FAQs

What types of sports are included when using the word "football"?

The term "football" can refer to various sports, including "soccer" (also known as association football), "American football", "Australian rules football", and others. The specific meaning depends on the context and region.

Is "football" more commonly referred to as "soccer"?

In many parts of the world, including Europe and South America, "football" typically refers to what is known as "soccer" in the United States and Canada. In these countries, "football" almost always implies association football.

How do I avoid confusion when using the term "football" in writing?

To avoid confusion, specify the type of football you are discussing, such as "American football" or "association football" (soccer). This is especially important when writing for an international audience.

What is another common term for "football"?

Depending on the region, "football" can also be referred to as "soccer", especially in North America and Australia, to distinguish it from other types of football games.