a major role

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a major role" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the importance or impact something has. For example, "Social media plays a major role in the way people communicate today."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Brains play a major role, of course.

The New York Times

I assume CGI played a major role.

The New York Times

But politics plays a major role.

The New York Times - Magazine

Will probably play a major role.

Independent

"Getting a major role is rare.

The New York Times - Arts

But money also played a major role.

The New York Times

But migration obviously plays a major role.

The New York Times

But misgovernance also plays a major role.

The Guardian

Social inequality clearly plays a major role.

The Guardian

Sex didn't play a major role.

The Guardian

"I've got a major role to play in the Congress".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a major role" to emphasize the importance or influence of something in a particular context. Ensure the sentence clearly indicates what is being influenced or affected.

Common error

Avoid using "a major role" when the subject's contribution is actually minor or insignificant. This can mislead the reader and weaken your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a major role" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It indicates that something or someone has a significant level of importance, influence, or responsibility in a given context, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a major role" is a versatile and frequently used expression to emphasize the importance or influence of something. As validated by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and commonly found across diverse contexts, including news, science, and formal business settings. While alternatives like "a significant part" or "a key factor" offer nuanced variations, "a major role" remains a strong and widely understood choice for conveying significance. Remember to use the phrase judiciously, ensuring that the subject's contribution truly warrants the emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant part

Focuses on the contribution as being an important segment of a larger whole rather than an influential position.

a key factor

Emphasizes the importance of the element as a critical determinant of an outcome.

a central aspect

Highlights the idea that something is essential and fundamental, positioned at the core of the topic.

a pivotal position

Indicates a place of critical importance or influence.

an integral component

Stresses that something is necessary for completeness.

a crucial element

Underscores that a specific ingredient is essential and decisive.

a primary influence

Signifies the dominant power to affect someone or something.

a weighty responsibility

Shifts the focus to the heavy obligation implied by playing a significant role.

a large stake

Implies having significant interest or involvement, often with something to win or lose.

a dominant force

Denotes a position of control or supreme influence.

FAQs

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

Use "a major role" to describe something that has a significant impact or influence. For instance, "Technology plays "a major role" in modern education".

What are some alternatives to "a major role"?

You can use phrases like "a significant part", "a key factor", or "a central aspect" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "major role" or "significant role"?

Both ""a major role"" and "a significant role" are correct, but "a major role" often implies a more critical or influential function than "a significant role".

What is the difference between "a major role" and "a leading role"?

"A major role" indicates importance or influence, while "a leading role" typically refers to a primary or most important position within a specific context, such as a play or project.