play its part

USAGE SUMMARY

'play its part' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a role that something or someone plays in a larger situation. For example: "This company is committed to playing its part in reducing carbon emissions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

If the UK doesn't play its part, it will lose its entire geopolitical pull.

Huffington Post

It did play its part in sparking an interest in astronomy.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Bot Metrics hopes it can play its part.

TechCrunch

Britain must play its part in holding it at bay.

The Guardian - Opinion

It too must play its part.

Vice

It spurs hope that Newcastle will play its part in a green-manufacturing revolution.

The Economist

It seems only right that France should play its part.

The Guardian

Responsible tourism should play its part, too.

Independent

Politics would have to play its part.

The Economist

Religion may also play its part.

The Economist

Britain will play its part.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "play its part", ensure the subject clearly defines what or who is contributing to a larger goal or effort. For example, "Technology can play its part in addressing climate change."

Common error

Avoid overstating the impact of something that "play its part". Ensure the contribution is proportionate to the overall effort to avoid misleading the audience. Be realistic about influence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "play its part" functions as a verb phrase indicating the performance of a role or contribution to a larger effort. As supported by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. Examples demonstrate its versatile application across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Formal & Business

16%

Science

13%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "play its part" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that signifies contributing to a larger effort or fulfilling a specific role. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It's commonly found in news, business, and scientific contexts, indicating a neutral to professional register. When using this phrase, ensure the subject's contribution is clearly defined and proportionately represented. Alternative phrases like "fulfill its role" or "do its share" offer similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis. The phrase serves to highlight the importance of individual or collective contributions toward achieving a common goal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fulfill its role

Replaces "play" with "fulfill", emphasizing the completion or execution of the role.

do its share

Shifts the focus to contributing a fair portion or responsibility.

contribute its portion

Highlights the contribution made by something, specifying that it is a particular portion.

make its contribution

Emphasizes the action of contributing, suggesting a positive impact.

participate in the effort

Focuses on taking part in a collective endeavor.

shoulder its responsibility

Emphasizes bearing responsibility for something.

fulfill its duty

Highlights the fulfillment of an obligation or responsibility.

serve its purpose

Focuses on achieving a specific objective or goal.

take on its function

Emphasizes the adoption and execution of a particular function.

serve as an instrument

Illustrates its support in a goal or initiative.

FAQs

How can I use "play its part" in a sentence?

Use "play its part" to describe how something contributes to a larger effort or goal. For example, "Education must "play its part" in fostering global citizenship".

What are some alternatives to using "play its part"?

You can use alternatives such as "fulfill its role", "do its share", or "make its contribution" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "play its part" or "do its part"?

"Play its part" and "do its part" are both correct and often interchangeable. The choice depends on the nuance you wish to convey. "Play its part" often implies a more defined or expected role, while "do its part" suggests contributing a fair share.

What does it mean when something is said to "play its part"?

It means that something is contributing to a larger effort, goal, or outcome. It suggests that the thing in question has a role or responsibility in achieving a particular result.