a supportive role

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a supportive role" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to someone who is helping or providing assistance in a given situation. For example, "My mother has always played a supportive role in my life."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This will leave agencies to play a supportive role providing insight, technology (and yes, occasionally horsepower) in support of ambitious plans for growth.

The Guardian

Mine was a supportive role.

The Guardian

"They had made the promise that Iran would be playing a supportive role".

The New York Times

Garrett played ably when needed by the Cowboys, while remaining in a supportive role.

The New York Times - Sports

Relationships can be vital in a supportive role — with parameters of accountability.

The New York Times - Sports

They may wish to adopt a supportive role, but the wider implications will need to be addressed too.

The Guardian - Money

"It was our feeling that Mike's role as mayor-elect is as a supportive role," an aide said.

The New York Times

She was also content to play a supportive role in the selection of Wolf's Mörike songs that followed.

The Guardian - Music

That is why you will often see experienced players forming perfect team compositions and gladly taking a supportive role.

Cornell University

Indexes of stock market confidence can only play a supportive role in trying to understand market events.

Yale University

And while the agency can play a supportive role at times, it may not get involved at all.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's contribution, use "a supportive role" to highlight their assistance without implying they are the primary actor. For instance, "The team leader played a crucial role, while other members took on "a supportive role" to ensure project success."

Common error

Avoid overstating the importance of "a supportive role". It implies assistance, not necessarily leadership. Don't say, "She played "a supportive role" in leading the company", when 'leading' implies a more significant position.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a supportive role" functions as a noun phrase that describes a type of contribution or function, emphasizing assistance and backing rather than primary leadership. Ludwig's examples show its use in describing various contexts where help is provided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

31%

Science

29%

Academia

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

13%

Wiki

8%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a supportive role" is a versatile phrase used to describe contributions of assistance and backing, rather than primary leadership. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability. As demonstrated by the numerous examples, it is commonly used across diverse fields, from News & Media and Science to Academia, highlighting its neutral tone and broad appeal. When using this phrase, ensure that you accurately reflect the level of involvement, avoiding overstatements of influence. Remember that providing "a supportive role" is helpful, but not necessarily being in charge.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a helping hand

Emphasizes the act of giving assistance, often in a practical or direct manner.

an assisting function

Focuses on the formal or defined nature of the aid being provided.

an aiding capacity

Specifies the ability or power to provide help.

a contributory part

Highlights the contribution made to a larger effort or goal.

a resource provider

Emphasizes the provision of resources, whether tangible or intangible.

a secondary function

Indicates that the role is not the primary or main one, but still important.

a complementary aspect

Focuses on how the role enhances or completes something else.

a backup position

Suggests a role that is ready to take over if needed.

a nurturing influence

Suggests providing care, encouragement, and guidance.

a collaborative effort

Highlights the joint effort and cooperation involved.

FAQs

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

You can use "a supportive role" to describe someone or something that provides help or assistance to another person or entity. For example, "The agency can play "a supportive role" at times, it may not get involved at all."

What's the difference between "a supportive role" and "a leading role"?

"A supportive role" indicates assistance and help, while "a leading role" implies being in charge and taking primary responsibility. The person in "a leading role" makes the important decisions, while the person in "a supportive role" helps to execute those decisions.

Are there any synonyms for "a supportive role" that I can use?

Yes, you can use phrases like "a helping hand", "an assisting function", or "a contributory part" as alternatives for "a supportive role", depending on the context.

In what contexts is "a supportive role" commonly used?

"A supportive role" is commonly used in contexts such as teamwork, healthcare, politics, and relationships, where someone is providing assistance or backing to others. According to Ludwig, this phrase appears often in Science, News & Media, Academia, Formal & Business, and Wiki.