leading role

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "leading role" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to a person who has the largest and most important part in a play, film, or other production. For example: "Leonardo DiCaprio played the leading role in the movie Titanic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Film

Theater

Politics

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You play the leading role.

The New Yorker

A juicy leading role for an actress.

The New York Times

Says Argus Hamilton, "Producers haven't cast the leading role yet.

Los Angeles Times

Indeed, she explicitly rejected a leading role.

The New York Times

He was offered a leading role.

Independent

Her daughter had a leading role.

The New York Times

Actor in a leading role?

The New York Times

Enough Said features Gandolfini's last leading role.

The Guardian - Film

But she never had a leading role.

The Guardian - Film

"Probably for a leading role, yeah.

The Guardian

He quickly took a leading role.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing contributions beyond acting, use "leading role" to describe someone's impact, such as "playing a leading role in a project".

Common error

Avoid using "leading role" when referring to a secondary or less significant character or position. A supporting role provides assistance but does not drive the main narrative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "leading role" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It typically refers to the most significant character or part in a performance or project. As Ludwig AI illustrates, it can also denote a position of influence or importance in a broader context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "leading role" is a commonly used noun phrase that denotes the most important part in a play, film, or other endeavor. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and versatility, finding it frequently used in News & Media, but also in Formal & Business and Science contexts. When writing, remember that while it's acceptable to use it in different contexts, it is important to avoid confusing it with a supporting role. Alternatives such as "main role" and "starring role" can be used to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

main role

Focuses on the importance of the role, similar to "leading role".

starring role

Emphasizes the prominence and attention associated with the role, akin to "leading role".

title role

Highlights that the role is the namesake of the play or movie.

principal role

Indicates a primary and significant part.

key role

Emphasizes the importance of the role to the overall outcome.

central role

Highlights the position of the role at the core of the action.

chief role

Stresses the position of authority and responsibility.

foremost role

Indicates a position of being first in rank or importance.

major part

Underscores the significance and size of the role.

dominant role

Focuses on the power and influence associated with the role.

FAQs

How can I use the phrase "leading role" in a sentence?

You can use "leading role" to describe the most important character in a play or film, as in "She landed the "leading role" in the new production." It can also refer to a person's significant contribution to a project or organization.

What are some alternatives to "leading role"?

Alternatives include "main role", "starring role", or "principal role", depending on the context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "a leading role" or "the leading role"?

Both are correct depending on the context. "A leading role" is used when referring to one among several possible leading roles or a general instance. "The leading role" is used when referring to a specific, already identified leading role.

Can "leading role" be used outside of the context of theater or film?

Yes, "leading role" can be used metaphorically to describe someone or something that has a major influence or impact in a particular situation or field. For example, "Technology plays a "leading role" in modern education".