a dominant role

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a dominant role" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which one individual or group has control over the other. For example, "The company's CEO plays a dominant role in setting strategic goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Kinetics played a dominant role under 1G.

Nature

The ingredients included a dominant role for the state.

The Guardian

Bacterial diseases have played a dominant role in human history.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Nurses play a dominant role in the healthcare sector.

International Journal of Nursing Studies

In process automation batch processes play a dominant role.

IFAC Proceedings Volumes

Mass transfer plays a dominant role in the LT process.

Cryobiology

The contact time plays a dominant role among these parameters.

Applied Surface Science

In such structures entropic effects may play a dominant role.

Biosystems

Entrepreneurs, foreign investors and peasant farmers assumed a dominant role in production.

The New York Times

It would be crazy not to have the Conservatives playing a dominant role, he added.

The Guardian

So far, however, no issue has taken a dominant role, and a number of imponderables remain.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a dominant role", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being dominated or influenced. This adds clarity and strengthens your message.

Common error

Avoid using "a dominant role" when describing situations where the influence is only partial or shared. Overstating dominance can weaken your argument if the evidence doesn't fully support it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a dominant role" functions as a noun phrase that typically serves as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It describes something that has a significant or controlling influence. Ludwig AI indicates its widespread use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

37%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a dominant role" is a commonly used phrase that signifies significant influence or control. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and appears frequently in diverse contexts, particularly science, news, and academia. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly specifies what is being influenced to avoid ambiguity. While generally neutral to formal, avoid overstating the level of dominance if the evidence does not fully support it. Alternatives such as "a leading position" or "a primary influence" can offer nuanced ways to express similar ideas. Understanding these nuances will improve your writing and make it more effective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a controlling influence

Directly indicates the power to regulate or dictate outcomes.

a primary influence

Emphasizes the power to affect something without necessarily implying complete control.

a prevailing influence

Highlights the widespread or common effect that something has.

a leading position

Focuses on the aspect of being ahead or in charge, shifting from influence to placement.

a major factor

Points out a significant element contributing to a particular outcome.

a principal element

Like major factor, emphasizes contribution, but with a more formal tone.

a central part

Highlights the importance and necessity of something within a larger context.

a key component

Stresses the essential nature of something as part of a larger system.

a commanding presence

Highlights the impact and authority of a person or thing.

a powerful force

Suggests a strong and effective influence, often irresistible.

FAQs

How can I use "a dominant role" in a sentence?

Use "a dominant role" to describe something that has significant influence or control. For example, "Technology plays "a dominant role" in modern education".

What are some alternatives to "a dominant role"?

You can use alternatives such as "a leading position", "a primary influence", or "a major factor" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use "dominant role" or "major role"?

While both phrases indicate importance, "dominant role" suggests more control and influence than "major role". Choose the phrase that best reflects the degree of influence you want to convey.

What does it mean when something plays "a dominant role"?

It means that something is very important and influential, often having a controlling effect on a situation or process.