play a smaller role

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "play a smaller role" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the significance or impact of something in a particular context, indicating that it is less important than other elements. Example: "In this project, the marketing team will play a smaller role compared to the development team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But could Mr. Edwards play a smaller role in an Obama administration?

The New York Times

And sulfur, they add, may turn out to play a smaller role than previously believed.

The New York Times - Science

Now we are planning for oil to play a smaller role in our budget.

The New York Times

Groups such as CPPR are expected to play a smaller role going forward.

The Washington Post

Extended family, older siblings and neighbors play a smaller role than they did in the past and elsewhere.

The New York Times - Books

In Gladwell's account, individual traits play a smaller role in explaining success while social circumstances play a larger one.

The New York Times

But Mr. Romney's big edge in money and organization may play a smaller role here than expected.

The New York Times

Based on the facial characteristics and molecular evaluations, we suggest that classic genetic causes of HPE may play a smaller role in this cohort.

Stanford University

"They play a smaller role in the career of these artists, and usually don't sign exclusivity agreements with them," he said.

The New York Times - Arts

American companies play a smaller role in the global renewable energy industry, but some of them are also growing exasperated with the Chinese market.

The New York Times

But it says that health maintenance organizations and other forms of managed care "will play a smaller role" in controlling costs than they have in recent years.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "play a smaller role" when you want to emphasize a shift in responsibility or importance, indicating that something is becoming less central to a particular process or outcome.

Common error

Avoid using "play a smaller role" when the element in question is actually being eliminated entirely. This phrase implies a continued, albeit diminished, presence, not a complete absence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "play a smaller role" functions as a verb phrase, indicating a reduction in the significance, influence, or activity of a subject within a given context. It describes a shift in importance, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "play a smaller role" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a reduction in the significance or influence of something. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is widely used across various fields, including news, science, and academia. While alternatives like "have a reduced impact" or "take a backseat" exist, "play a smaller role" offers a balanced and versatile option for expressing diminished importance in a clear and accessible manner. Remember to avoid overstating the degree of reduction when using this phrase; it implies a continued, albeit reduced, presence, not a complete absence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be less significant

Highlights the diminished importance or relevance.

be of secondary importance

States directly that something is not the primary focus or concern.

have a reduced impact

Focuses on the lessened effect or influence of something.

become less prominent

Focuses on the reduced visibility or attention something receives.

assume a lesser part

Indicates a reduced level of participation or involvement.

have a minor function

Highlights that something is only a small part of the overall operation.

diminish in importance

Emphasizes the fading relevance or significance over time.

take a backseat

Implies a deliberate move to a less prominent position.

recede in influence

Suggests a gradual decline in the power to affect outcomes.

undergo scaling down

Highlights a reduction of a process, project, initiative or its resources.

FAQs

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

You can use "play a smaller role" to indicate that something has less importance than before. For example, "In the future, fossil fuels will "play a smaller role" in energy production".

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

Alternatives include "have a reduced impact", "take a backseat", or "be less significant", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "play a smaller role" or "have less influence"?

Both phrases are correct, but "play a smaller role" often suggests a more defined and observable function, while "have less influence" focuses on the power to affect outcomes. The better choice depends on the specific context.

What's the difference between "play a smaller role" and "be phased out"?

"Play a smaller role" means that something is becoming less important but still exists, while "be phased out" implies a gradual removal or elimination.