What are the definitions of “play with”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Touch and move something to occupy your hands.
He can't stop PLAYING WITH his beard.
- 2Not eat much of a meal.
I wasn't hungry, so I just PLAYED WITH the food.
- 3Consider something, but not seriously.
We PLAYED WITH the idea, but decided against it.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “play with”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb play with is to touch and move something with your hands, often to keep yourself occupied or entertained. For example, it can mean fidgeting with an object, like a pen or a toy, or touching something repeatedly, like hair or clothing.
What are the different verb forms of “play with”?
| Root Verb | play with |
| Third Person Singular Present | plays with |
| Present Participle | playing with |
| Simple Past | played with |
| Past Participle | played with |
Example
She always plays with her hair when she's nervous.
Example
He plays with his keys when he's waiting.
Example
The child is playing with the toy car.
Example
Yesterday, she played with her necklace during the meeting.
Example
The cat had played with the ball of yarn all day.
What kind of phrasal verb is “play with”?
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a transitive and intransitive verb? - A transitive verb always has an object after it. (Example: Sam bought a car.) - An intransitive verb never has an object.(Example: She laughed loudly.)
Transitive verb
“play with” is a transitive phrasal verb because it requires a direct object to complete its meaning. The direct object specifies what is being removed, obtained, or eliminated.
Example
She played with her hair during the conversation.
Example
He played with the idea of moving to another city.
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a separable and inseparable phrasal verb? - A “separable phrasal verb” can be separated with an object between the verb and particle. - An “inseparable phrasal verb” cannot be separated by an object.
Inseparable
“play with” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means that you can’t place an object between the verb and the particle, otherwise, it changes the meaning of the phrasal verb.
Example
She played with her hair during the conversation.
Example
He played with the idea of moving to another city.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “play with”?
Good things to know
Does “play with” have an informal or formal tone?
Play with is a neutral to informal phrasal verb. It is commonly used in everyday conversations and casual contexts. However, it can also be used in more formal settings, depending on the specific context. For instance, when discussing a serious topic, such as playing with someone's emotions, it can have a more formal tone.
