I play as an attacker?

Status
Not open for further replies.

ripley

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 25, 2004
Member Type
Student or Learner
Native Language
Italian
Home Country
Italy
Current Location
Italy
Hi,
if I speak about the roles in a (volleyball) team, can I say:

"I play AS AN attacker"?

"my best friend plays AS A libero? ( plays libero?)

Thanks
Rip
 

SoothingDave

VIP Member
Joined
Apr 17, 2009
Member Type
Interested in Language
Native Language
American English
Home Country
United States
Current Location
United States
Just "I play attacker" would be more common. Nothing grammatically wrong with "play as" but not commonly used. Unless you were drawing a contrast.

I usually play attacker, but because of injuries I had to play "as a libero."
 

birdeen's call

VIP Member
Joined
Jul 15, 2010
Member Type
Student or Learner
Native Language
Polish
Home Country
Poland
Current Location
Poland
How about "play as attacker"? (Without the article.)
 

SoothingDave

VIP Member
Joined
Apr 17, 2009
Member Type
Interested in Language
Native Language
American English
Home Country
United States
Current Location
United States
No, I think you need the article if you use "as." I can play linebacker, or play as a linebacker. But not play as linebacker.
 

ripley

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 25, 2004
Member Type
Student or Learner
Native Language
Italian
Home Country
Italy
Current Location
Italy
Thanks for you help,
can I also say "I had to play libero"? you wrote "as a libero";
you say "as an attacker is not common";is "as a libero" uncommon, too?

Rip

No, I think you need the article if you use "as." I can play linebacker, or play as a linebacker. But not play as linebacker.
 

SoothingDave

VIP Member
Joined
Apr 17, 2009
Member Type
Interested in Language
Native Language
American English
Home Country
United States
Current Location
United States
Yes, "I had to play libero" is good.

I don't know what a "libero" is.

My point is:

1. Play "position" (e.g. play fullback) is most common
2. Play "as a position" (e.g. play as a halfback) is also possible, but usually when contrasting with another position.
 

Allen165

Key Member
Joined
Aug 8, 2009
Member Type
Student or Learner
Native Language
English
Home Country
Canada
Current Location
Switzerland
NOT A TEACHER.

I may be wrong, but I think the players whose main job is to spike the ball are called "hitters."
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top