[Vocabulary] I practiced sports when I was a student

[englishhobby]

I practiced sports when I was a student.
I did sports when I was a student.
I went in for sports when I was a student.


Do the above sentences mean the same? Are they all correct?

 

[JohnParis]

Yes, they all mean more or less the same thing. The second sentence bothers me, however.
It's correct, but a bit gruff.
Many students would say "I played sports when I was a student."

 

[englishhobby]

Thank you very much!

 

[emsr2d2]

In BrE, we probably wouldn't use "sports", just "sport". Unless you say "I played three different sports when I was a student - tennis, hockey and curling", there's no need for the plural.

I played sport as a student.
I took part in a lot of sport as a student.
I was very sporty when I was a student.

 

[JohnParis]

"I was very sporty when I was a student."
I had forgotten that sentence's meaning in BrE.
In AmE, it means that I was a sporty dresser. That I wore casual clothing, not suits and ties, etc.

 

[konungursvia]

"I was very sporty when I was a student."
I had forgotten that sentence's meaning in BrE.
In AmE, it means that I was a sporty dresser. That I wore casual clothing, not suits and ties, etc.

It can mean athletic as well.

 

[BobSmith]

It can mean athletic as well.

Not to my AmE ears.

 

[SoothingDave]

I only hear "sporty" as an adjective describing cars.

 

[konungursvia]

I don't see how it could refer to clothes without deriving from sports clothing, and from the concept of sports in general.

Not to my AmE ears.

 

[englishhobby]

Thank you all for this useful information!

 

[BobSmith]

I don't see how it could refer to clothes without deriving from sports clothing, and from the concept of sports in general.

Who said it didn't? "Sporty", to me, has nothing to do with being athletic or (athletic) sports-like. I didn't say it didn't come from the concept. I use the phrase "sports coat" all the time, but I'm not hunting pheasant in it.

 

[konungursvia]

Well, you said in effect that it applies to the appearance but cannot apply to the reality. I agree it's very commonly said of clothing and cars, but I don't agree it is "not used" of truly athletic people.

Who said it didn't? "Sporty", to me, has nothing to do with being athletic or (athletic) sports-like. I didn't say it didn't come from the concept. I use the phrase "sports coat" all the time, but I'm not hunting pheasant in it.

 

[emsr2d2]

So if I came to the US and said "That guy looks really sporty" would it mean nothing much to you? Would you only be able to work out what I meant because you're a native speaker so would simply be able to take the word "sporty" etc and work out how that could be applied to a person rather than clothes or a car?

 

[BobSmith]

So if I came to the US and said "That guy looks really sporty" would it mean nothing much to you? Would you only be able to work out what I meant because you're a native speaker so would simply be able to take the word "sporty" etc and work out how that could be applied to a person rather than clothes or a car?

Depends on what the person was wearing. If they were wearing bright yellow shorts and a white polo with a blue scarf, I would say "yep, that's sporty all right :roll:" and roll my eyes.

If he were dressed head to toe in boldly colored Nike gear, with the logo blazoned (emblazoned?) all over, I'd stop and say "sport-y? you mean like sports-like? :-?"

If he were wearing full (Am) football gear, pants, pads, helmet... Well, I'd laugh at you and say "yeah, 'sport'-y! Good one! :up: "

:-D

 

[BobSmith]

Well, you said in effect that it applies to the appearance but cannot apply to the reality. I agree it's very commonly said of clothing and cars, but I don't agree it is "not used" of truly athletic people.

Ah, I think I see the distinction. No, for me, an athletic person would never be called "sporty". You could say

built
athletic
lean
strong
fit

For some reason, I can't think of any others.

 

[BobSmith]

HOLD THE PHONE.

Are you saying, that all this time, "Sporty Spice" really means "Athletic Spice"???? I'm floored. :shock: Seriously.

 

[emsr2d2]

HOLD THE PHONE.

Are you saying, that all this time, "Sporty Spice" really means "Athletic Spice"???? I'm floored. :shock: Seriously.

Er, yes! She was well-known for being really into exercise. She had an exercise video and was frequently seen wearing gym gear (lycra leggings and trainers/sneakers).

From Wikipedia: Melanie was called Sporty Spice ... possessed true athletic abilities, her signature being her ability to perform back handsprings.

 

[SoothingDave]

HOLD THE PHONE.

Are you saying, that all this time, "Sporty Spice" really means "Athletic Spice"???? I'm floored. :shock: Seriously.

I was wondering how long it would take till Sporty Spice entered into the conversation.

 

[BobSmith]

Next I'll learn that "scary" in BrE means covered in keloids!

 

[emsr2d2]

Next I'll learn that "scary" in BrE means covered in keloids!

Well, that would have made the whole band more interesting!