get ball

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "get ball" is not correct and usable in written English as it lacks clarity and context.
It may be intended to refer to obtaining a ball, but it is incomplete and does not convey a clear meaning. Example: "I need to get the ball before we start the game."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Get ball.

Independent

"We didn't get ball movement," Woodson said.

The New York Times - Sports

Aim ball at hole, get ball down in as few shots as possible.

The Guardian - Sport

"My mentality my rookie year was, 'See ball, go get ball,' " Wilson said.

The New York Times - Sports

Sadly, the girls didn't get ball gowns, but that may be for the best: they were so compelling throughout the inaugural that our collective fascination may turn into obsession.

The New Yorker

"We didn't get ball and when we did it wasn't clean," said Cotter who was in charge of Scotland for the 16th time.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Denver is second, and it can get ball-control running from Mike Anderson and Tatum Bell.

The New York Times

To get ball-park estimates, we created two scenarios, one a shipment of a family's skis from Manhattan to the Thunderbird Lodge in Taos, and the other to get four suitcases from Minneapolis to a cruise ship pier in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

The New York Times - Travel

"She's going to get balls.

The New York Times - Sports

He wants to get balls you can't get.

The Guardian - Sport

Did Rangers pitchers get balls that weren't rubbed?

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase in sports contexts, ensure it's part of a larger, grammatically correct sentence, such as, "The objective is to get the ball and score."

Common error

Avoid using "get ball" as a standalone instruction or statement. It's grammatically incomplete and requires additional context to be clear.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "get ball" typically functions as an imperative or a concise instruction, often within sports contexts. Ludwig's examples show its use in phrases like "See ball, go get ball" or "Get ball down", indicating a directive to acquire the ball.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

6.666666666666667%

Less common in

Science

6.666666666666667%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "get ball" is commonly used, particularly in news and media, as well as in informal contexts. However, Ludwig AI marks it as incorrect in written English due to its lack of clarity. It's best used as a shorthand instruction and should be avoided in formal writing in favor of more complete alternatives like ""obtain the ball"" or "retrieve the ball". While grammatically questionable, its frequency suggests it's understood, but clarity should always be prioritized.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

obtain the ball

More formal and specific; implies a deliberate effort to acquire the ball.

retrieve the ball

Implies the ball was previously lost or out of reach and is now being recovered.

catch the ball

Specific to catching, often used in sports contexts.

grab the ball

Suggests a quick or forceful action to take possession of the ball.

secure the ball

Implies a defensive action to maintain possession of the ball.

gain possession of the ball

Formal and emphasizes the act of acquiring control of the ball.

win the ball

Implies competition and effort to gain possession.

take the ball

General term for taking possession, can be neutral or assertive depending on context.

receive the ball

Emphasizes the action of being passed or given the ball.

get a ball

Slightly more complete phrasing, implying the acquisition of a ball in general rather than a specific ball.

FAQs

How can I properly use "get ball" in a sentence?

The phrase "get ball" is often incomplete. Use it with additional context such as, "You need to "obtain the ball" before starting the game", or "The goal is to "secure the ball" and advance it down the field".

What are some alternatives to "get ball"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "retrieve the ball", "catch the ball", or "gain possession of the ball".

Is it correct to say "get ball" on its own?

Generally, no. "Get ball" is not a complete sentence and requires additional words to form a grammatically correct statement. For example, it's better to say, "get a ball" or "get the ball".

When is it acceptable to use the phrase "get ball"?

It might be acceptable in informal speech or as a shorthand instruction in specific contexts (e.g., during a sports practice). However, in formal writing, it's best to use a more complete and grammatically correct alternative like ""obtain the ball"" or "retrieve the ball".