play a decisive role

USAGE SUMMARY

"play a decisive role" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to something that is essential in a situation or process, or when something has a prominent influence in an outcome. For example, you could say: "The decisions made by the leader of the team played a decisive role in shaping the team's success."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The handover policies involved in the handover decision process stage play a decisive role in scheduling the handover process efficiently.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

But he worries that politics will play a decisive role in the FBI's decision.

The Washington Post

Hormones also play a decisive role in animal growth.

Encyclopedia Britannica

State governors, who appoint election officers, play a decisive role.

The Economist

Industrial engineers have played and play a decisive role as transmitters and introducers of progress.

Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences

The proportion of coal and sand do not play a decisive role in uniaxial compressive strength.

International Journal of Mining Science and Technology

Boundary, initial and loading conditions play a decisive role in solving the simulation.

Finite Element Method A Practical Course

T lymphocytes play a decisive role in the course and clinical outcome of viral retinal infection.

Progress in Retinal and Eye Research

Collectors play a decisive role in froth flotation by selectively hydrophobizing mineral particles.

Minerals Engineering

The XRD results revealed that the solvents play a decisive role in the crystallization of products.

Inorganica Chimica Acta

Recent findings, however, suggest that state actors also play a decisive role in private certification governance.

Policy and Society

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "play a decisive role", ensure the context clearly identifies what is being decisively influenced.

Common error

Avoid using "play a decisive role" when the influence is only partial or contributory; ensure the element truly determines the outcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "play a decisive role" functions as a verb phrase indicating that someone or something has a crucial influence on the outcome of a situation. This is validated by Ludwig's examples showing its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

59%

News & Media

29%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "play a decisive role" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to emphasize the critical influence something has on an outcome. Ludwig AI affirms its usability, and the examples showcase its application across science, news, and academic contexts. While synonyms like "be instrumental" or "be a key factor" offer alternatives, it's crucial to ensure the context genuinely warrants the strong emphasis implied by the phrase. Avoid overstating the influence if the role is merely contributory. The phrase fits best in neutral to formal registers, maintaining a tone suitable for discussing significant matters.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be a key factor

Focuses on the element as a major influence.

be a major influence

Stresses the power to affect events or decisions.

have a significant impact

Focuses on the notable effect or consequence produced.

be instrumental

Highlights the essential contribution, implying a necessary factor for success.

exert a strong influence

Emphasizes the active application of power to affect something.

prove crucial

Underscores the element's importance at a critical moment.

be critical

Emphasizes the importance of being essential to the outcome.

affect the outcome

Directly relates to influencing the final result.

be of great importance

Highlights the significance and value of something.

determine the result

Signifies the ability to control or definitively decide the outcome.

FAQs

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

Use "play a decisive role" to indicate that something has a crucial impact on the outcome of a situation. For example: "Technology investments "play a decisive role" in modernizing industries".

What can I say instead of "play a decisive role"?

You can use alternatives like "be instrumental", "be a key factor", or "have a significant impact" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "play a decisive role" or "play a deciding role"?

"Play a decisive role" is more commonly used and implies a greater level of influence compared to "play a deciding role", although both are grammatically acceptable.

What's the difference between "play a decisive role" and "play a major role"?

"Play a decisive role" suggests an element is critically important in determining an outcome, whereas "play a major role" simply indicates significant influence without necessarily being the determining factor.