dominant role

USAGE SUMMARY

"dominant role" is a perfectly correct phrase in written English.
It is usually used to describe a position of power or authority, and to refer to the person or group that wields that power. For example: "The military played a dominant role in the government of the country."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In duets, the dominant role keeps changing.

The New York Times - Arts

District courts play the dominant role.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The ingredients included a dominant role for the state.

The Guardian

Bacterial diseases have played a dominant role in human history.

Encyclopedia Britannica

There are three explanations for the dominant role of conscientiousness.

The New York Times - Science

Some may argue that Congress should have the dominant role in war powers debates.

The New York Times

A quirky reminder of television's dominant role in American life was delivered a few weeks ago.

The New York Times

Or you can poach it and allow it to play a major but not dominant role.

The New York Times - Food

Entrepreneurs, foreign investors and peasant farmers assumed a dominant role in production.

The New York Times

It would be crazy not to have the Conservatives playing a dominant role, he added.

The Guardian

After 40 years, the dominant role played by Syria's Ba'ath party is under grave threat.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "dominant role", ensure the context clearly defines what or who is being influenced. For example, specify "dominant role in the market" or "dominant role in decision-making".

Common error

Avoid using "dominant role" when the influence is only partial or shared. Qualify the degree of influence to maintain accuracy; for example, use "significant role" or "major role" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dominant role" functions as a noun phrase acting as a subject complement or object in a sentence. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in attributing significant influence or importance to a subject.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "dominant role" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression signifying primary influence or control. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely accepted in written English. The phrase appears most often in news and media, science, and encyclopedia sources. When using "dominant role", it's important to clearly define the context of the influence to maintain clarity and avoid overstating the degree of influence. Alternatives include "leading position" and "primary influence", offering nuanced variations for different writing needs.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

leading position

Focuses on being ahead or in charge, rather than just influential.

primary influence

Emphasizes the effect on something, rather than the role itself.

key factor

Highlights the importance of something in achieving a result.

central aspect

Focuses on importance to the topic.

major player

Indicates an entity's active involvement and importance.

significant part

Indicates that a portion of some process or situation is of high importance.

principal component

Points out an essential ingredient in a bigger picture.

main driving force

Highlights the power to make progress.

chief element

Highlights the most significant component.

critical component

Emphasizes that a key is of critical importance.

FAQs

How is "dominant role" used in a sentence?

The phrase "dominant role" typically describes something or someone exerting significant influence. For example, "Technology plays a "dominant role" in modern education".

What are some alternatives to "dominant role"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "dominant role" include "leading position", "primary influence", or "key factor".

Is it correct to say "dominant role"?

Yes, "dominant role" is a grammatically correct and widely accepted phrase in English, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It accurately describes a position of significant power or influence.

What does "dominant role" mean?

"Dominant role" refers to the most important or influential position within a particular context, where something or someone has the most control or impact.