Correct Sentence Structure in English: 'Is She Good at Swimming?' or 'She is Good at Swim'

Often, native English speakers, as well as learners, struggle with the correct way to express proficiency in an activity. The question at hand is whether 'She is good at swim' or 'She is good at swimming' is the correct sentence. Let's explore the answer in detail.

Common Mistakes in Sentence Structure

The correct sentence structure is 'She is good at swimming.' This is a grammatically correct statement affirming that the person in question is skilled at the activity of swimming. However, the phrase 'Is she good at swim' is incorrect.

Explanation of Correct Usage

To understand why 'She is good at swimming' is the correct choice, let's break it down:

Swim is a verb; it describes an action. Swimming is the gerund form of the verb 'swim,' which is a noun that represents the activity itself. To be proficient at an activity, we use 'be good at' followed by the gerund form of the verb. Therefore, the sentence should read 'She is good at swimming,' where 'swimming' is the correct form.

Consider these variations for further clarity:

She is good at swimming. She is a good swimmer. She swims well.

Key Points to Remember

When forming a sentence to describe someone's proficiency in an activity, always use the gerund form as the object of 'be good at.' Here are a few more examples to illustrate:

He is good at cooking. She is good at dancing. We are good at painting.

Rephrasing the Question and Affirmations

To change the sentence into a question or rephrase it, you have several options:

Is she good at swimming? Is she a good swimmer? Does she swim well?

Each of these alternatives is correct and can be used interchangeably based on preference or context.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the correct sentence structure is 'She is good at swimming.' This sentence accurately describes someone's proficiency in the activity of swimming. Conversely, 'Is she good at swim' is incorrect, as it does not follow the grammatical rules of English.

Remember, when describing proficiency in an activity:

Use 'be good at' followed by the gerund form of the verb. To ask a question, you can use 'Is she good at swimming' or 'Is she a good swimmer.' For positive statements, use variations like 'She is a good swimmer' or 'She swims well.'

Understanding these nuances will help you communicate effectively in English and avoid common errors in sentence structure.