a substantial role

USAGE SUMMARY

'a substantial role' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use this expression when describing a role that is important or has a large impact. For example: "The charity volunteers have been playing a substantial role in helping to feed the homeless community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But secrecy plays a a substantial role at KFC.

The New York Times

"Facebook could have a substantial role in correcting those deficiencies".

The Guardian - Tech

Barack Obama has played a substantial role in the developments of the last decade.

The New Yorker

This isn't all the result of gerrymandering, but it plays a substantial role.

The Guardian - Opinion

In his neoclassicist ballets, the legend of imperial Petersburg played a substantial role.

The New York Times

Mr. Trump is suggesting that the military can play a substantial role in enforcing border security.

The New York Times

And New York is playing a substantial role in the festivities.

The New York Times - Arts

These clusters are believed to play a substantial role in causing Alzheimer's.

Stanford University

Your academic record plays a substantial role in our review process.

University of California, Berkeley

Search engines play a substantial role with this in regards to how the information is found.

University of California, Berkeley

All governments of the world assume a substantial role in providing education for their citizens.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a substantial role", be sure to clarify the context in which the role is being played. Providing specific examples will enhance the clarity and credibility of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "a substantial role" when the actual contribution is minor or insignificant. Exaggerating the importance can undermine the credibility of your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a substantial role" primarily functions as a noun phrase that often acts as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It signifies that something has a noteworthy or considerable part in a particular situation or process, and is considered grammatically correct according to Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

48%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a substantial role" is a common and grammatically correct English expression used to emphasize the significance or importance of something. It frequently appears in News & Media, Science, and Academic contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides numerous real-world examples showcasing its use across various domains. When writing, remember to avoid overstating the significance and to clarify the context in which the role is being played to maximize clarity and credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant part

Replaces "role" with "part", emphasizing a portion of something larger.

a considerable contribution

Shifts the focus to emphasize the contribution made.

a major influence

Shifts focus to the impact or effect rather than the function.

a central component

Highlights that it is one of the core, indispensable elements.

a crucial element

Highlights that it is of supreme importance.

a key factor

Highlights the importance as one of several elements contributing to an outcome.

an integral aspect

Underscores that it is an organic and necessary aspect.

a vital function

Emphasizes the necessity and importance of the function.

a prominent position

Focuses on visibility and status rather than active contribution.

a weighty responsibility

Changes from function to emphasize accountability and impact.

FAQs

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

Use "a substantial role" to describe something that has a significant impact or importance within a specific context. For example, "Technology plays "a substantial role" in modern education".

What are some alternatives to "a substantial role"?

You can use alternatives like "a significant part", "a major influence", or "a key factor" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "substantial role" or "important role"?

"Substantial role" implies a significant impact or magnitude, whereas "important role" simply indicates that something is significant. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the degree of impact or just the fact that it matters.

What's the difference between "a substantial role" and "a central role"?

"A substantial role" suggests considerable influence or impact, while "a central role" implies being fundamental or essential to something. "Central" emphasizes necessity, whereas "substantial" emphasizes magnitude or importance.