He plays outside with friends.

Meaning: This means that he engages in recreational activities in the open air with people he likes and trusts.

Choice of Words: Play is a simple verb that means to engage in an activity for enjoyment or recreation. Outside is an adverb that means in the open air. Friend is a noun that refers to a person who is liked and trusted. When you put them together, "He plays outside with friends" describes someone who engages in recreational activities in an open area with people they like and trust.

Alternative Expressions

The boy is playing with his friends outside.

Meaning: This sentence also tells us that a boy is playing outside with his friends, but it emphasizes that he is a specific boy and that he is currently playing.

Choice of Words: The boy is a noun phrase that refers to a specific male child. Is playing is a verb phrase that means he is currently engaged in play. With is a preposition that means in the company of. His friends is a noun phrase that refers to the people he is playing with. Outside is an adverb that means not inside a building.

The young boy engages in playful activities with his companions in an outdoor setting.

Meaning: This sentence is more formal and uses more sophisticated vocabulary to convey the same meaning as the other two sentences. It emphasizes that the boy is young and that he is playing with his friends outside.

Choice of Words: The young boy is a noun phrase that refers to a specific male child who is young. Engages in playful activities is a verb phrase that means he is playing. With is a preposition that means in the company of. His companions is a noun phrase that refers to the people he is playing with. In an outdoor setting is a prepositional phrase that means outside.

Related Expressions