play the guitar

Meaning

This phrase means to perform music using a guitar. In English, we almost always use the definite article 'the' before musical instruments when talking about the ability to play them.

Examples

• She started to play the guitar when she was ten years old.

  She started to play the guitar when she was ten years old.

• My brother can play the guitar really well.

  My brother can play the guitar really well.

• He likes to play the guitar by the campfire.

  He likes to play the guitar by the campfire.

• I am trying to learn how to play the guitar this summer.

  I am trying to learn how to play the guitar this summer.

• We sang songs while Sarah began to play the guitar.

  We sang songs while Sarah began to play the guitar.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ He plays guitar very well.

  ✓ He plays the guitar very well.

  In standard English, we usually include the definite article 'the' before the name of an instrument when talking about playing it.

• ✗ I want to play on the guitar.

  ✓ I want to play the guitar.

  Do not use the preposition 'on' when stating that you play an instrument.

Related Expressions

Practice

• He spends hours in his room trying to learn how to ___.

  💡 Make music using a six-string instrument.

  Show answer

  play the guitar

• Can you ___ or do you only play the piano?

  💡 Ask about their ability to play this specific string instrument.

  Show answer

  play the guitar