a paramount role

USAGE SUMMARY

"a paramount role" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing an important role that somebody or something has in a situation. For example: "The government has a paramount role in maintaining public safety."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Sexual mores seemed not to play a paramount role.

The New York Times

For writers who seek to influence public affairs, timing plays a paramount role.

The New York Times - Books

If I had known that it wouldn't be just the two of us, but that the Marine Corps would play a paramount role in our life together.

The New York Times

Although crack is illegal, Brazilian officials view the problem as a public health matter in which the state has a paramount role in helping break addictions.

Independent

He came on the scene when radio news was playing a paramount role in bringing World War II home to Americans, and he made the transition to television with passion and authority.

The New York Times - Arts

The principle at stake dates back to a 1908 case, Ex parte Young, in which the Supreme Court held that federal courts have a paramount role in stopping a state from violating federal law.

The New York Times

A paramount role of the mask is to give a sense of continuity between the present and the beginnings of time, a sense that is of vital importance for the integration of a culture with no written history.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Catalytic stage plays a paramount role in Claus units performance.

Chemical Engineering Journal

The proteasome has a paramount role in eukaryotic cell regulation.

Molecular Cell

Initial soil moisture conditions play a paramount role in mediating the response.

Journal of Hydrology

This points to a paramount role of the grain size and stability in the dewetting morphology.

Acta Materialia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a paramount role", ensure that the context clearly establishes what is being influenced by this role. For example, specify what outcome or process is significantly affected.

Common error

Avoid using "a paramount role" when a less emphatic phrase would be more appropriate. Overusing this phrase can dilute its impact and make your writing sound hyperbolic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a paramount role" functions as a noun phrase that typically serves as the object of a verb, indicating the high degree of importance or influence something has. Ludwig indicates its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

59%

News & Media

21%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a paramount role" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to emphasize the supreme importance of something. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's appropriate for formal writing, especially in scientific, news, and business contexts. While effective, avoid overuse and consider alternative phrases like "a critical role" or "a vital role" to maintain clarity and impact. The phrase's formality suggests it is less suited for informal conversations, where simpler alternatives might be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a critical role

Focuses on the decisive nature of the role.

a vital role

Highlights the role's essential nature for success.

a key role

Emphasizes the role's importance as one of several crucial factors.

a central role

Highlights the role's position as the most important or pivotal.

a leading role

Implies the role has a guiding or directing influence.

a significant role

Underlines the noticeable impact the role has.

a foremost role

Emphasizes the role's position as first in importance or rank.

a dominant role

Highlights the role's power or control over others.

a crucial part

Highlights that a role is necessary to succeed.

a principal function

Emphasizes the primary duty or task associated with the role.

FAQs

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

Use "a paramount role" to highlight the significant importance of something. For example, "Education plays "a paramount role" in societal development."

What are some alternatives to "a paramount role"?

You can use alternatives such as "a critical role", "a vital role", or "a key role" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "a paramount role" too strong for everyday use?

While "a paramount role" is suitable for formal and academic contexts, it might sound overly formal in casual conversation. In such cases, consider using less emphatic phrases like "a major part" or "a big influence".

What's the difference between "a paramount role" and "an important role"?

"A paramount role" emphasizes the supreme importance of something, suggesting it is the most significant factor. "An important role" simply indicates that something is significant, but not necessarily the most crucial.