Meaning & use
playing fetch
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Meaning
phrasefixed phrase
The activity of throwing an object for a dog or other animal to run after and bring back.
Grammar: Used as a noun-like activity: 'playing fetch' works as the subject or after 'like/enjoy'. It is not a verb you conjugate.
Patterns
- playing fetch with a dog
- enjoy/love playing fetch
- go playing fetch
My dog loves playing fetch in the park.
We spent an hour playing fetch with a tennis ball.
Playing fetch is a great way to exercise a young dog.
Common combinations
- play fetch
- Let's take the dog outside and play fetch.
- a game of fetch
- The puppy thinks every stick is a game of fetch.
- fetch a ball
- She taught her dog to fetch a ball and drop it at her feet.
- fetch a stick
- He was throwing a stick and the dog was fetching it.
- play fetch with someone
- The children took turns playing fetch with the neighbor's dog.
Synonyms and how they differ
- playing catch
- Used when people throw a ball to each other, not when a dog retrieves something.
Word family
Commonly confused: playing fetch or playing catch?
playing fetch vs playing catch
This means two or more people throwing a ball to each other. 'Playing fetch' is specifically for animals retrieving an object.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'playing fetch' correctly?
Choose one answer.
Playing fetch is an activity where a dog chases and retrieves a thrown object, so 'with a frisbee' fits. Option An is wrong because two people usually play catch, not fetch. Option B is less typical because cats are not known for playing fetch. Option D makes no sense because fetch is not a musical activity.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “playing fetch”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.