played a big role

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "played a big role" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone's significant contribution or influence in a particular situation or event. Example: "Her research played a big role in the development of the new vaccine."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We played a big role in Sandy.

The New York Times

Central banks have played a big role.

The Economist

Public investment has played a big role.

The New York Times

That may have played a big role.

The New York Times

Environmental degradation has played a big role.

The Guardian

Technology also played a big role.

Harvard Business Review

Clearly, history played a big role.

The New Yorker

'Morgs' played a big role in that.

The Guardian - Sport

Religion also played a big role.

The New Yorker

Hubris played a big role in the errors, he said.

The New York Times - Tech

They played a big role in putting them together.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "played a big role" to emphasize the significance of a contribution or influence, especially when a more formal or technical term isn't necessary.

Common error

Avoid constructing sentences that obscure who or what "played a big role". Make sure the subject of the sentence is clearly identified to maintain clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "played a big role" functions as a verb phrase that describes the action of having a significant influence or impact. It typically connects a subject to its contribution or effect on an event or situation. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Academia

23%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "played a big role" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to highlight a significant contribution or influence. As Ludwig's AI confirms, it's applicable across various contexts, particularly in news, academic writing, and business communications. While it maintains a generally neutral register, it's best practice to ensure clarity by avoiding passive voice constructions. Alternatives such as "significantly influenced" or "was instrumental in" can offer nuanced ways to convey similar meanings. With its prevalent use and versatility, "played a big role" remains a reliable choice for expressing importance and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was instrumental in

Indicates the action was essential or crucial for achieving a specific result.

had a substantial impact

Emphasizes the effect or consequence resulting from the action.

was critical to

Similar to "was instrumental", but more direct, showing that the contribution was absolutely necessary.

was a major factor

Shifts the focus to identifying a key element contributing to a particular outcome.

was a key contributor

Highlights the importance of the contribution and the person or thing making it.

contributed significantly

Highlights the act of contributing with an adverb emphasizing the extent of the contribution.

significantly influenced

Replaces the idiomatic expression with a more direct verb phrase, focusing on the act of influencing.

had a central part

Emphasizes the importance of the role that someone/something had in an event.

exerted a strong influence

Focuses on the power or force of the influence.

was a driving force

Suggests that someone/something was the main source of power and energy behind an action.

FAQs

What does it mean to say something "played a big role"?

Saying that something "played a big role" means it had a significant impact or influence on an event, situation, or outcome. It indicates the subject was an important factor.

What can I say instead of "played a big role"?

You can use alternatives like "significantly influenced", "was a major factor", or "was instrumental in" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "played a big role" or "played a significant role"?

Both phrases are correct, but "played a significant role" is slightly more formal and emphasizes the importance of the role even more strongly than "played a big role".

How to use "played a big role" in a sentence?

You can use "played a big role" by clearly identifying what had a significant influence. For example, "Technology "played a big role" in the conference's success".