resume playing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "resume playing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating the action of starting to play again after a pause or interruption. Example: "After a short break, the players were ready to resume playing the game."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Mr Marler is free to resume playing immediately".

The Guardian - Sport

He is free to resume playing for Australia's quarter-final.

The Guardian - Sport

The girls resume playing "house" in their tepee.

The Washington Post

He said: "The plan is to resume playing when the body tells me I'm fine".

Independent

Horwitz said Church would not resume playing until his symptoms subsided.

The New York Times - Sports

Should Lindros resume playing before the trading deadline, the Rangers might consider dealing him.

The New York Times - Sports

He said he did not know when he would be able to resume playing in games.

The New York Times

Even in a best-case scenario, Rivers would not resume playing until late July or August.

The New York Times - Sports

Wednesday to give him the go-ahead to resume playing go-go.

The Washington Post

American pianist and conductor who overcame a debilitating neurological condition to resume playing his full concert repertoire.

Encyclopedia Britannica

When the soreness is gone, Jeter will resume playing in minor league games or extended spring training.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about someone's recovery from an injury, use "resume playing" to clearly indicate their return to their sport or activity. For example, "After recovering from surgery, she was cleared to "resume playing" tennis."

Common error

Be specific about what action is being resumed when using "resume playing". Avoid vague sentences where it's unclear what "playing" refers to. For example, instead of "After the argument, they resumed playing", specify "After the argument, they resumed playing chess".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "resume playing" primarily functions as a verb phrase, indicating the act of starting an activity again after a pause or interruption. Ludwig provides examples showing its use in various contexts, from sports to music.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Science

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "resume playing" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe the act of restarting an activity after a pause or interruption. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples across various contexts, particularly in news and media. Its neutral register makes it suitable for diverse audiences, and while alternatives exist, "resume playing" remains a clear and direct way to convey the resumption of an activity. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying what is being resumed, especially after a pause or a change of context. Notable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian frequently employ this phrase, attesting to its widespread acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

return to play

Emphasizes the return to the activity after an absence or interruption.

go back to playing

Implies a return to the act of playing, often after a break or pause.

start playing again

Directly states the act of beginning to play after a cessation.

continue playing

Focuses on the uninterrupted continuation of the playing activity.

recommence playing

A more formal way of saying "start playing again".

pick up the game again

Suggests restarting a game that was previously stopped or abandoned.

get back in the game

Idiomatic expression indicating a return to active participation.

re-enter the game

Suggests formally returning to a game or activity after being out.

take up playing again

Highlights the resumption of playing as a hobby or regular activity.

re-engage in playing

Focuses on the act of becoming involved in the activity once more.

FAQs

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

You can use "resume playing" to indicate a return to an activity after an interruption. For example: "The team will "resume playing" after the rain delay".

What's a more formal alternative to "resume playing"?

A more formal alternative to "resume playing" is "recommence playing". This phrase is suitable for professional or academic contexts.

Which is correct, "resume play" or "resume playing"?

"Resume play" is also correct, but ""resume playing"" is more commonly used when specifically referring to a game or activity.

What's the difference between "resume playing" and "continue playing"?

"Resume playing" implies a stop or interruption occurred before the activity restarts. "Continue playing" suggests the activity never stopped, and is simply ongoing.