play a important role

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "play an important role" is correct and usable in written English.
It is most commonly used to describe the influence that a person or thing has in a particular situation or context. For example: "My mother has always played an important role in my life; she has encouraged and supported me throughout my studies and career."

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

humidity play a important role in plants growth.

Columbia University

Bats play a important role in keeping insects like mosquitoes under control.

The New York Times

Nevertheless, it is generally accepted that MHC I specific Abs do not play a (important) role in FNAIT27,29.

Nature

The liquid phase filled in the pores and densified bricks body, which also play a important role in preventing heavy metals from releasing.

Construction and Building Materials

First, GMSCs reduced levels of several pro-inflammatory cytokines, particularly IL-17, IL-4, and IFN-γ, while increased levels of IL-2 which play a important role in the differentiation and function of iTreg.

Nature

On the other hand, several parameters such as clone selection, codon optimization, fusion partners and culture conditions play a important role in obtaining high yields of protein.

AMB Express

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

Politics play an important role.

The New York Times

Par-3s play an important role.

The New York Times

He will play an important role then".

The New York Times - Sports

Will Kagan play an important role?

The New Yorker

But we did play an important role".

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "play a important role" is common, be mindful of your audience. In formal or academic settings, opting for grammatically sound alternatives demonstrates precision and attention to detail.

Common error

The most common error is the use of the indefinite article "a" instead of "an" before the vowel sound in "important". Always double-check the article to ensure grammatical accuracy. Using alternatives like "play a significant role" avoids this issue altogether.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "play a important role" functions as a verb phrase indicating the degree of influence or significance that something or someone has in a specific context. Despite the grammatical hiccup, it expresses that something is essential or consequential. Ludwig AI acknowledges it's widely present.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

37%

Academia

11%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "play a important role" is frequently used across various contexts, including science, news, and academia, it's crucial to acknowledge its grammatical imperfection. Ludwig AI shows that the correct form is "play an important role". Consider using alternatives like "play a significant role" or "have a significant impact" in formal settings to enhance clarity and credibility. Despite its common usage, being mindful of grammatical correctness ensures effective communication and strengthens your writing. Always proofread to avoid this common error.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

play a significant role

Replaces "important" with "significant", offering a more grammatically correct and widely accepted alternative.

play a crucial role

Substitutes "important" with "crucial", emphasizing the critical and indispensable nature of the role.

play a vital role

Replaces "important" with "vital", highlighting the essential and life-sustaining aspect of the role.

play a key role

Substitutes "important" with "key", indicating that the role is central and pivotal.

play a central role

Replaces "important" with "central", denoting that the role is fundamental and essential.

play a major role

Substitutes "important" with "major", signifying the substantial and considerable impact of the role.

play a prominent role

Replaces "important" with "prominent", suggesting the role is conspicuous and easily noticeable.

play a decisive role

Substitutes "important" with "decisive", emphasizing that the role is crucial in determining an outcome.

have a significant impact

Alters the structure to focus on the impact rather than the role itself, maintaining a similar meaning.

contribute significantly to

Shifts the focus to contribution rather than role, highlighting the positive effect on something.

FAQs

Is it grammatically correct to say "play a important role"?

While commonly used, "play a important role" is grammatically questionable. The correct form is "play an important role" because "important" starts with a vowel sound. Using alternatives like "play a significant role" sidesteps this issue.

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

You can use alternatives such as "play a significant role", "play a crucial role", or "have a significant impact" to convey a similar meaning.

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

Although it's better to use "play an important role", an example is: "Technology play a important role in modern education." A better version: "Technology plays an important role in modern education."

What's the difference between "play a important role" and "play an important role"?

"Play a important role" is grammatically incorrect due to the wrong indefinite article. "Play an important role" is the correct version. For example, "Education plays an important role in society."