Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[leslie]

Hi,

Which of the following sentences are correct?

1. I love playing the toy.
2. I love playing with the toy.
3. I love playing the piano.
4. I love playing with the piano.

How to distinguish when to use 'with' and when not to?

Thanks in advance!!

Leslie
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Less Is Blessed

[CP]

We play instruments and games, but we play with toys and people.

I play [the] violin; you play [the] piano. Beckham plays soocer. Hickok plays poker.

When Beckham plays, he plays with a ball. Hickok plays with cards and maybe poker chips. They may play with or against friends.

Your daughter plays with dolls, and you son plays with toy soldiers. Your first love played with your emotions, maybe. Now you like to play with words.
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You live a new life for every new language you speak. -Czech proverb

[leslie]

Thanks a lot, CP. I understand now.

leslie
_________________
Less Is Blessed