Meaning & use
the recreation center
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Meaning
phrasefixed phrase
A public building with rooms and equipment for sports, games, and other leisure activities.
Grammar: Countable when used without 'the': a recreation center, two recreation centers.
Patterns
- at the recreation center
- go to the recreation center
The city opened a new recreation center with a swimming pool and gym.
Every Saturday, my kids take art classes at the recreation center.
The recreation center offers free yoga classes for seniors.
Word forms
| plural | recreation centers |
|---|
Common combinations
- at the recreation center
- I'll meet you at the recreation center after work.
- go to the recreation center
- We often go to the recreation center to play basketball.
- a recreation center offers something
- The recreation center offers swimming lessons for children.
Synonyms and how they differ
- leisure center
- The British English term for the same type of building; 'recreation center' is more common in American English.
- community center
- A community center focuses on social services and events for local people, while a recreation center emphasizes sports and physical activities.
Word family
- recreation noun
- Activities done for enjoyment when not working.
Commonly confused: the recreation center or recreation?
the recreation center vs recreation
Recreation is the activity itself; a recreation center is the building where it happens.
Practice
My brother plays badminton ______ every Tuesday evening.
Choose one answer.
We use 'at' for a place where an activity happens: at the recreation center. 'In' is possible for being inside, but 'at' is the natural choice for an event.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “the recreation center”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.