play a central role

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "play a central role" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe something that is very important or influential in a situation. For example, "Education plays a central role in determining success."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Always, vegetables play a central role.

The New York Times - Travel

Party affiliation will still play a central role.

The New York Times

Women play a central role in men lives.

The Guardian - Opinion

Pilotless vehicles are expected to play a central role.

The New York Times - Science

All indications suggest he could play a central role.

The New York Times

She is deemed to play a central role.

Independent

Fossil fuels will continue to play a central role.

The New York Times

Symmetries play a central role in QFT.

SEP

I play a central role in Fosun.

BBC

On Zola Books, recommendations play a central role.

TechCrunch

Diffusion-weighted sequences currently play a central role in neuroimaging.

Insights into Imaging

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "play a central role" to emphasize the importance of a specific element within a larger context. Be sure that the element you're describing truly warrants this level of significance.

Common error

Avoid using "play a central role" when the element in question only has a minor impact or influence. Overusing this phrase can dilute its meaning and weaken your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "play a central role" functions as a verbal phrase that indicates the importance or significance of a subject within a specific context. As Ludwig AI confirms, this expression is correct in written English. The examples provided demonstrate this usage across various subjects.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

38%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "play a central role" is a versatile expression used to underscore the importance of something within a specific context. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and prevalent across diverse domains, especially in science and news media. Alternatives like "play a pivotal role" or "be of great importance" can be used for variety, but it's crucial to avoid overstating the actual impact to maintain clarity and credibility. The phrase's consistent use in authoritative sources highlights its reliability and appropriateness in formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

play a pivotal role

Replaces "central" with "pivotal", emphasizing a decisive or crucial influence.

play a substantial role

Substitutes "central" with "substantial", highlighting the significant impact or contribution.

play a fundamental role

Replaces "central" with "fundamental", stressing the basic or essential nature of the role.

play a key role

Uses "key" instead of "central" to indicate a crucial or vital function.

occupy a central position

Changes "play a role" to "occupy a position", focusing on the importance of placement or standing.

be of great importance

Replaces the entire phrase with a more direct statement of significance.

constitute a core component

Emphasizes that something is a vital part of a larger structure or system.

exert significant influence

Shifts the focus to the act of influencing rather than playing a role.

hold a position of prominence

Highlights the elevated status or visibility of something.

figure prominently

Indicates that something is noticeably or importantly present.

FAQs

How can I use "play a central role" in a sentence?

The phrase "play a central role" is used to emphasize the importance or significance of something in a particular context. For example: "Technology "plays a central role" in modern education."

What are some alternatives to "play a central role"?

You can use alternatives like "play a pivotal role", "play a key role", or "be of great importance" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "played a central role"?

Yes, "played a central role" is the past tense form of the phrase and is grammatically correct. For example: "The scientist "played a central role" in the development of the vaccine."

What's the difference between "play a central role" and "play a significant role"?

While both phrases indicate importance, "play a central role" suggests that something is essential or fundamental to a process or system, whereas "play a significant role" simply implies that it has a considerable impact. The difference lies in the degree of influence and necessity.