as it plays to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as it plays to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing how something is relevant or appealing to a particular audience or context. Example: "The marketing strategy was effective as it plays to the interests of the younger demographic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

It makes for poor decision-making as it plays to the soundbite and gallery.

The Guardian - Money

It is sad, Gasol said, that the word routinely comes up, as it plays to the stereotype of the international basketball player.

The New York Times - Sports

This configuration, which looks peculiarly long in photographs, will give Nissan another set of bragging rights as it plays to buyers who haul motocross bikes, all-terrain vehicles and Jet Skis.

The New York Times

It's not only the higher-integrity path but also the logical one, as it plays to our strengths as technologists and innovators.

TechCrunch

But the AfD, which was founded in 2013 as an anti-eurozone party before shifting further to the right, has seen it's popularity grow in recent years as it plays to nationalist and anti-Islam sentiment.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

It's made from a single piece of bamboo, and holds the iPhone in place as it plays music to amplify the sound.

TechCrunch

Birthdays will open fully in May, working up through the gears as it plays host to a tonne of parties and live nights.

Vice

The eyes of the football world have turned to Poland, as it plays co-host to Euro 2012.

BBC

Games staged at Warrington and Rochdale were played in front of capacity crowds, while Workington's Derwent Park attracted its biggest attendance for almost two decades as it played host to Scotland's opening group fixture against Tonga.

BBC

Europe's eyes were on Denmark last weekend as it played host to the annual Eurovision Song Contest.

Vice

This weekend Europe's eyes were on Denmark, as it played host to the yearly Eurovision Song Contest.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as it plays to" when you want to emphasize that something is designed to appeal to or take advantage of a particular sentiment, trend, or group's interests. Make sure the subject clearly connects with the target audience or concept you are referencing.

Common error

Avoid using "as it plays to" if the connection between the subject and the intended target is weak or unclear. Ensure a direct and logical link to maintain clarity and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as it plays to" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or clause. It indicates that an action or strategy is designed to appeal to, exploit, or take advantage of a particular audience, sentiment, or trend. Ludwig's examples show its use in describing political strategies and marketing tactics.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as it plays to" is a prepositional phrase used to indicate that something is designed to appeal to or take advantage of a specific audience, sentiment, or trend. Ludwig AI categorizes the phrase as grammatically correct, although its frequency is uncommon. It is most often found in news and media contexts. When using "as it plays to", make sure the connection between the subject and the intended target is clear and logical. Alternatives such as "as it appeals to" or "as it caters to" can be used depending on the desired nuance. The authoritative sources using this phrase include The Guardian, The New York Times, Huffington Post, TechCrunch, and Vice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as it caters to

Replaces "plays to" with "caters to", emphasizing the act of providing what is needed or desired.

as it appeals to

Substitutes "plays to" with "appeals to", highlighting the attractiveness or interest generated.

as it targets

Uses "targets" instead of "plays to", focusing on the specific group or area being addressed.

in order to resonate with

Expresses a similar sentiment but with a focus on creating a sympathetic or emotional connection.

because it aligns with

Focuses on agreement or correspondence with a particular viewpoint or set of values.

since it acknowledges

Highlights recognition or acceptance of something important to the intended audience.

given its focus on

Emphasizes a specific area of interest or concern.

by capitalizing on

Suggests taking advantage of a particular trend or sentiment.

as it benefits

Focuses on the advantages or gains produced for a certain group

while taking into consideration

Refers to careful thought, typically prior to decision-making.

FAQs

How can I use "as it plays to" in a sentence?

Use "as it plays to" to explain how something caters to or takes advantage of a specific audience, sentiment, or trend. For example, "The advertisement was successful as it plays to the audience's desires for nostalgia".

What are some alternatives to "as it plays to"?

Alternatives include phrases like "as it appeals to", "as it caters to", or "as it targets", which can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "as it plays to" formal or informal?

"As it plays to" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it is more commonly found in journalistic or analytical writing. Choose your words depending on your audience's knowledge of the topic.

What's the difference between "as it plays to" and "because of"?

"As it plays to" indicates an intentional appeal or catering to something, whereas "because of" indicates a cause-and-effect relationship. "As it plays to" focuses on intention and appeal; "because of" focuses on causation.