Hook

What do you do in your free time? Let’s learn the words for common hobbies.

Notice

Common hobbies:

  • reading, painting, drawing, cooking, dancing
  • playing football, playing the guitar, playing video games
  • watching movies, listening to music, going shopping
  • gardening, fishing, hiking, swimming

Rule

Notice the pattern with playing:

  • play + an instrument — play the guitar, play the piano
  • play + a sport/game — play football, play chess (no “the”)

Notice go + -ing for many activities: go swimming, go shopping, go fishing, go hiking.

Practice

  1. Complete: I like playing ___ guitar. (Answer: the)
  2. Complete: He plays ___ football every weekend. (Answer: [no article needed])
  3. Choose the correct verb: go / play chess (Answer: play)
  4. Choose the correct verb: go / play swimming (Answer: go)
  5. Match: reading → books, cooking → ___ (Answer: food)
  6. Name 3 hobbies you can do outside. (Answer: e.g. hiking, fishing, gardening)

Connect

Explore hobby vocabulary with our Word Finder tool.

Try the Word Finder Tool →

CEFR A1: Vocabulary — can name everyday leisure activities and hobbies.

Azizul Hakim