resumed playing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "resumed playing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone has started playing again after a pause or interruption. Example: "After a short break, the musician resumed playing the piano."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Arts

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Barnatan resumed playing.

The New Yorker

They resumed playing with Anish.

The New York Times

He resumed playing in high school.

The New York Times - Sports

Hogan resumed playing tournament golf 16 months later.

The New York Times - Sports

He has resumed playing catch, but experienced slight discomfort today.

The New York Times - Sports

She's here to play soccer.' " Eventually, the man resumed playing.

The New York Times

Four of the five injured boys have resumed playing football for Tantasqua.

The New York Times - Sports

But it resumed playing festivals that met its security requirements in 2005, including Bonnaroo.

The New York Times - Arts

He came back out shortly with a bandage and resumed playing in the exhibition.

The New York Times - Sports

After a nine-year silence, she resumed playing in a community orchestra in Santa Monica, Calif.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

As Sun resumed playing, Brendel exhorted him to strive for a deeper sense of the orchestral dimension the multitude of voices in Schubert's piano compositions.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "resumed playing" to clearly indicate that an activity was interrupted and then started again. This is especially useful in sports writing, music reviews, and historical accounts where continuity and interruption are key.

Common error

Ensure the context clearly indicates what activity is being "resumed". Avoid using it when the activity is being started for the first time, as it implies a prior state of playing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "resumed playing" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the act of starting to play again after a pause or interruption. Ludwig's examples showcase its frequent usage across various contexts to describe a return to an activity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Sports

25%

Arts

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Wiki

7%

Science

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "resumed playing" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase that describes the act of restarting an activity after an interruption. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is suitable for use in a wide range of contexts, from news reports and sports articles to encyclopedic entries and creative writing. While alternatives like "started playing again" or "returned to playing" exist, "resumed playing" clearly and concisely conveys the idea of a return to a previous activity. When using the phrase, ensure that the context makes it clear what activity is being resumed to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

started playing again

Focuses on the action of starting again, highlighting the initiation of play after a break.

returned to playing

Emphasizes the act of going back to playing, suggesting a previous engagement in the activity.

continued playing

Indicates an uninterrupted continuation of playing, possibly after a minor pause or disruption.

recommenced playing

A more formal synonym for resumed, indicating a formal restart of the game.

picked up playing again

Suggests a casual resumption of playing, often after a prolonged break.

took up playing again

Highlights a re-engagement with playing as a hobby or activity.

reinitiated play

A formal way of saying resumed playing, often used in official or technical contexts.

started back playing

Emphasizes the backward movement in time, indicating a return to a previous state of playing.

re-engaged in playing

Highlights the action of engaging again in a playing activity.

reconvened the game

Indicates that a game has been formally brought back into session.

FAQs

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

You can use "resumed playing" to indicate the act of starting to play again after an interruption. For example, "After a brief intermission, the orchestra "resumed playing"." or "He "resumed playing" soccer after recovering from his injury."

What are some alternatives to "resumed playing"?

Some alternatives to "resumed playing" include "started playing again", "returned to playing", or "continued playing". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "resumed to play" instead of "resumed playing"?

While "resumed playing" is the more common and natural construction, "resumed to play" might be grammatically acceptable in some contexts but sounds less idiomatic. It's generally better to stick with ""resumed playing"".

What's the difference between "continued playing" and "resumed playing"?

"Continued playing" implies that there was little or no interruption, whereas ""resumed playing"" indicates a clear pause or break before starting again.