he plays with

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "he plays with" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that someone is engaging in an activity with something else. For example: He plays with his toy cars every day.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

He plays with angles.

The New York Times - Sports

He plays with the character.

The New Yorker

He plays with his brain".

The New York Times - Sports

He plays with a lot of passion".

The New York Times - Sports

He plays with words.

The Guardian - Books

He plays with images.

The Guardian - Books

He plays with pain.

The New York Times - Sports

"He plays with great passion.

The New York Times

He plays with his food.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

He plays with a lot of energy.

The New York Times - Sports

"He plays with a lot of emotion.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "he plays with", ensure the context clearly indicates whether the action is playful, skillful, or strategic. For example, "He plays with words" suggests skillful manipulation, while "He plays with toys" implies a more literal, playful interaction.

Common error

Avoid using "he plays with" when a more precise verb would better convey the intended meaning. For example, instead of "He plays with the data", consider "He analyzes the data" or "He manipulates the data" for greater clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he plays with" functions as a verb phrase indicating action or interaction. Ludwig examples show it used in various contexts, from literal play to metaphorical manipulation, indicating versatility. The AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he plays with" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to describe various types of interaction, ranging from literal play to strategic manipulation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. Its frequency is very common, particularly in news and media contexts. While generally neutral in register, careful attention should be paid to the specific context to ensure that the intended meaning is clearly conveyed. Consider related phrases like "he engages with" or "he manipulates" for alternative phrasing, depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he works with

Emphasizes collaboration or utilization in a practical manner.

he engages with

This alternative emphasizes active participation or involvement.

he interacts with

This highlights the reciprocal action between individuals or objects.

he handles

Focuses on managing or dealing with something.

he experiments with

Focuses on testing or trying out new ideas or methods.

he manipulates

Implies skillful or strategic handling of something.

he toys with

Suggests a casual or unserious approach.

he fools around with

Indicates playful or aimless activity.

he juggles

Highlights managing multiple things simultaneously.

he trifles with

Suggests treating something without due respect or seriousness.

FAQs

How can I use "he plays with" in a sentence?

Use "he plays with" to describe someone interacting with an object, concept, or person, where the interaction can be playful, experimental, or strategic. For instance, "He plays with ideas" or "He plays with his dog".

What are some alternatives to saying "he plays with"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "he engages with", "he manipulates", or "he experiments with".

Is it correct to say "he plays with it"?

Yes, "he plays with it" is grammatically correct and commonly used. The pronoun "it" should clearly refer to a previously mentioned object or concept. For example: "He found a new app and he plays with it all day".

What is the difference between "he plays with" and "he works with"?

"He plays with" suggests a more casual or experimental approach, while "he works with" implies a more purposeful and productive interaction. For example, you can say "He works with data", not "He plays with data".