fill the role

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase “fill the role” is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to someone taking on a certain responsibility or task. For example, “John has been hired to fill the role of CEO of the company.”.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General Usage

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

Could Owen Farrell fill the role of match-winner?

The Guardian - Sport

He seemed to fit the part and fill the role.

The Guardian - Opinion

"In another sense we fill the role of a Judith".

The New York Times - Arts

He will fill the role handled by Jim Lampley at the 2002 Salt Lake Winter Olympics.

The New York Times - Sports

"Now that GEORGE PLIMPTON is dead, somebody needs to fill the role".

The New York Times

The burly Eric Godard is poised to fill the role as an enforcer.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

Who might fill the role of non-partisan Speaker?

Huffington Post

But Chirp could fill the role of needing to quickly reply to Twitter notifications, like @mentions or DMs.

TechCrunch

Looking around for a sap to fill the role with minimum inconvenience to herself, she centers on Chas.

The New York Times

These postfeminist times demand a man as seemingly decent as Vermeer to fill the role of the artist-hero.

The New York Times - Arts

Former Toronto Police chief Bill Blair will be the first to fill the role.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fill the role", ensure the context clearly indicates what the role entails and why it needs to be filled. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Don't assume the audience understands the specifics of the role being filled. Briefly describe the role's main responsibilities to avoid confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fill the role" functions as a verb phrase indicating the act of assuming duties or responsibilities associated with a particular position. It's used to describe the action of taking on a specific function or replacing someone, as demonstrated in Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sports

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fill the role" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe someone assuming the duties and responsibilities of a particular position. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s widely used across various contexts, particularly in news media and sports. The phrase's neutral register makes it suitable for diverse audiences. While alternatives like "take on the responsibility" and "step into the position" exist, "fill the role" remains a straightforward and widely understood way to convey this concept. Remember to provide context on the specifics of the role to avoid any ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take on the responsibility

Focuses on accepting duties associated with a position.

step into the position

Highlights assuming a formal post or duty.

assume the duties

Emphasizes the responsibilities taken on.

replace someone

Focuses on substituting another person.

act as a substitute

Highlights temporarily taking on duties.

undertake the function

Focuses on performing a specific task or function.

serve in the capacity

Implies acting in a specified role or function.

shoulder the responsibility

Emphasizes bearing the weight of a duty.

cover the position

Suggests temporarily managing a role.

fulfil the function

Emphasizes completing the purpose a role serves.

FAQs

How can I use "fill the role" in a sentence?

You can use "fill the role" to describe someone taking on responsibilities, for example: "She was chosen to "fill the role" of team leader."

What's a good alternative to "fill the role"?

Alternatives include "take on the responsibility", "step into the position", or "assume the duties", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "fulfill the role" instead of "fill the role"?

Both "fill the role" and "fulfill the role" are acceptable, but "fill the role" is more common. "Fulfill the role" emphasizes meeting the requirements of the position.

What does it mean to "fill the role"?

To "fill the role" means to undertake the duties and responsibilities associated with a particular position or function, often implying replacing someone else.