playing ball

USAGE SUMMARY

"playing ball" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the physical activity of playing a ballgame, typically with teams. For example: "We spent the afternoon playing ball in the park."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"Playing ball".

The New Yorker

They weren't playing ball.

The New York Times

Keep playing ball.

The New York Times - Sports

But he's not playing ball.

The Guardian

And playing ball".

The New York Times

"I have no interest in playing ball".

The New York Times

But Samsung isn't playing ball.

The Guardian - Tech

(Slough council weren't playing ball).

The Guardian - TV & Radio

There's no kids playing ball.

The New York Times

In extracurricular time, I love singing, playing ball games.

Harvard University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Play ball, please play ball.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing leisure activities or hobbies, use "playing ball" to clearly convey participation in ball-related sports or games.

Common error

Avoid using "playing ball" only in its literal sense. Be mindful of its idiomatic usage, which means cooperating or being agreeable, especially in business or negotiations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "playing ball" functions primarily as a verb phrase. It describes the activity of participating in a ball game or, more figuratively, indicates cooperation or compliance. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Academia

8%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "playing ball" is a versatile phrase with both literal and idiomatic meanings. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely used. The phrase is most commonly found in News & Media contexts, but also appears in Academic and Scientific sources. It can refer to physically engaging in a ballgame, or to cooperating with others. Be aware of the dual nature of this phrase, ensuring that the intended meaning is clear based on context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

engaging in a ballgame

Highlights the active involvement in a specific ballgame.

taking part in ball games

Indicates inclusion and participation in ball games.

active in ball games

Focuses on being physically active through ball games.

participating in sports

Focuses on the broader act of taking part in sports activities, not just ball games.

doing ball sports

A simple and direct way to express involvement in ball sports.

competing in ball sports

Emphasizes the competitive aspect of playing ball.

practicing ball sports

Highlights the act of practicing and improving in ball sports.

involved in a ball sport

Describes the state of being connected to ball sports.

playing a sport with a ball

Very explicit, emphasizes the specific type of sport using a ball.

having a catch

Refers specifically to casually tossing a ball back and forth, often in baseball.

FAQs

How can I use "playing ball" in a sentence?

You can use "playing ball" to describe participating in a sport, like in "The kids are "playing ball" in the park". It can also mean cooperating, as in "If you want to get the deal done, you need to start "playing ball" with the other party".

What does it mean when someone says another person isn't "playing ball"?

When someone says another person isn't "playing ball", it means they are not cooperating or being agreeable. They might be resistant to compromise or unwilling to work with others.

What are some synonyms for "playing ball" when referring to sports?

When referring to sports, you can use alternatives like "engaging in a ballgame", "participating in sports", or "active in ball games".

Is it grammatically correct to say "playing ball"?

Yes, "playing ball" is grammatically correct. It is a common verb phrase used to describe the activity of playing a ballgame or, idiomatically, to describe cooperation. Ludwig AI confirms that is correct and usable in written English.