it plays that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it plays that" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to refer to a function or role that something fulfills, but it lacks clarity and context. Example: "In this context, it plays that role of a mediator between the two parties."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Let's see if it plays that way.

The New York Times - Books

Whether it plays that way with voters remains to be seen.

The Economist

It plays that way too - all clunky controls and really basic interaction.

The Guardian - Tech

"It plays that over and over again," one of the women says to her friend, who blames Pandora's small music library.

The New York Times

"It plays that over and over again," the woman complains to a friend, who blames Pandora's "small music library" for the repetition.

The New York Times

In a way, I kind of hope it plays that way, because people are going to be looking at me like I'm kind of silly".

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

That group lost its first four games and dropped all 10 games it played that season.

The New York Times - Sports

"And for a long time it played that role.

The New York Times

Located close to the boundary with Babylonia, it played that empire off against Mitanni whenever possible.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It played that way a little: a worn tale of middle-aged vulnerability and youthful appetite.

The New Yorker

Liza Minnelli did the role to perfection and when you see it played that well, that feeds your fire.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "it plays that" in formal writing. Opt for more precise and grammatically correct alternatives such as "it fulfills that role" or "it serves that purpose".

Common error

Don't use "it plays that" when a more accurate verb can describe the action. Instead of saying "it plays that part", specify what the action actually entails, such as "it mimics", "it simulates", or "it embodies".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it plays that" primarily functions as a verb phrase attempting to describe a role or function. As Ludwig AI points out, it is often considered grammatically incorrect and lacks clarity. Therefore, its utility is limited.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Wiki

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

10%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it plays that" is a grammatically questionable expression frequently found across diverse contexts, including news media, wikis, and scientific publications. Despite its relatively common occurrence, Ludwig AI points out that it's often considered incorrect and lacks clarity. Consequently, it's advisable to utilize more precise alternatives such as "it fulfills that role" or "it serves that purpose" to ensure effective communication. Given the choice, you should always lean towards using alternatives instead of using the expression "it plays that".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it fulfills that role

This alternative replaces "plays" with "fulfills", emphasizing the act of satisfying a specific function or purpose.

it serves that purpose

This alternative replaces "plays" with "serves", highlighting the contribution towards a specific goal or aim.

it performs that function

This option replaces "plays" with "performs", which is useful when referring to tasks and activities.

it operates in that capacity

This alternative uses a more formal tone, indicating the functioning or working of something within a defined scope.

it functions in that manner

Similar to the previous one, but focuses on how something performs its intended action.

it acts in that way

This option broadens the sense to acting, encompassing behavior or performance.

it takes on that role

Highlights the assumption or acceptance of a certain function or position.

it embodies that quality

Shifts the meaning to represent or exemplify a certain trait or feature.

it exemplifies that

Focuses on being a typical example or instance of something.

it reflects that

Indicates mirroring or showing a likeness to a particular aspect or characteristic.

FAQs

What does "it plays that" mean?

The phrase "it plays that" is generally considered grammatically incorrect and lacks a clear meaning. It's often intended to describe a function or role but is vague. More specific alternatives like "it fulfills that role" or "it serves that purpose" are preferred.

What can I say instead of "it plays that"?

You can use alternatives like "it fulfills that role", "it serves that purpose", or "it operates in that capacity" depending on the context.

Is "it plays that" grammatically correct?

No, "it plays that" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. It's better to use clearer and more specific phrasing.

How to use "it plays that" in a sentence correctly?

While "it plays that" is generally discouraged, if you intend to use it, ensure the context clearly implies the role or function. However, replacing it with more explicit phrases like "it fulfills that function" or "it performs that task" will improve clarity.