They played ball every day.

Meaning: This means they participated in a game or activity involving a round object each and every 24-hour period.

Choice of Words: Played is a simple past tense verb that describes the action of participating in a game or activity. Ball is a round object used in various games. Every is an adverb that means each and every time. Day is a period of 24 hours.

Alternative Expressions

The children played baseball every afternoon.

Meaning: This sentence means that a group of young people engaged in the game of baseball on a daily basis during the afternoon.

Choice of Words: The children is a noun phrase that refers to a group of young people. Played is a verb that means to engage in a game or sport. Baseball is a noun that refers to a specific game or sport played with a bat and ball. Every is an adverb that means each and every time. Afternoon is a noun that refers to the time of day between noon and evening.

My friends and I play basketball at the park every weekend.

Meaning: This sentence means that a group of people that includes the speaker engage in the game of basketball at a specific location on a weekly basis during the weekend.

Choice of Words: My friends and I is a noun phrase that refers to a group of people that includes the speaker. Play is a verb that means to engage in a game or sport. Basketball is a noun that refers to a specific game or sport played with a ball and a hoop. At the park is a noun phrase that refers to a specific location. Every is an adverb that means each and every time. Weekend is a noun that refers to the time of week between Saturday and Sunday.

Related Expressions