played a decisive role

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "played a decisive role" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It means that something or someone had a significant impact or influence in a particular situation. Example: "The team captain's strategic thinking and excellent leadership skills played a decisive role in their victory over their opponents."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

The army played a decisive role.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Coretta played a decisive role there as well.

The Guardian

since 2000, played a decisive role in its rise.

The New Yorker

Moreover, they played a decisive role in the emancipation and professionalization of architectural culture in Flanders.

Cornell University

The amorphous PMMA diluent has played a decisive role in structure development.

Polymer

The army has played a decisive role, even after it donned a figleaf of civilian rule.

The Economist

In 1799 Leclerc played a decisive role in the coup that brought Napoleon to power.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Theoretical concoctions played a decisive role in the unleashing of the current crisis, as they have, by the way, in all the worst market disasters since 1929.

Huffington Post

Moreover, a central ally of President Xi Jinping played a decisive role in its destruction.

The New York Times

Monetary and fiscal institutions have played a decisive role in the stabilisation of the Brazilian economy since the mid-1990s.

The Quarterly Review of Economics and Finance

The survivors' personal stories played a decisive role in educating the world about the radical evil of Nazism.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "played a decisive role", ensure that the context clearly demonstrates the impact and significance of the role played. Provide specific examples or evidence to support your claim.

Common error

Avoid using "played a decisive role" when the impact was minimal or indirect. Overstating the importance can weaken your argument. Ensure the role was truly central to the outcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "played a decisive role" functions as a verbal phrase that highlights the significance of a specific action or entity in influencing a particular outcome. As Ludwig indicates, this phrase is used to emphasize the critical impact of something. Examples demonstrate its use across various contexts to underscore importance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

29%

Academia

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

9%

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "played a decisive role" is a powerful way to emphasize the significant impact of an action, event, or individual on a particular outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and frequently used in various formal and informal contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and academic writing. When using this phrase, ensure you provide clear evidence of the impact to avoid overstating the significance. Alternatives like "was instrumental" or "was critical" can be used to express similar meanings with slightly different nuances. Remember to tailor your choice to the specific context for maximum impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was instrumental

Focuses on the idea of being essential or crucial to an outcome.

was critical

Emphasizes the importance and necessity of something.

was pivotal

Highlights the turning-point nature of the contribution.

was crucial in

Highlights the indispensable nature of the contribution.

significantly influenced

Indicates a notable impact on the outcome.

exerted a major influence

Focuses on the power and extent of the impact.

had a determining effect

Emphasizes the power to shape the final result.

was a key factor

Identifies the contribution as one of the most important elements.

was central to

Highlights the core importance of the action.

contributed decisively

Focuses on the direct and impactful contribution made.

FAQs

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

Use "played a decisive role" to highlight a significant influence. For example, "Her research "played a decisive role" in the development of the new vaccine."

What are some alternatives to "played a decisive role"?

You can use alternatives like "was instrumental", "was critical", or "was pivotal" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "played a decisive role" in formal writing?

Yes, "played a decisive role" is suitable for formal writing. It's a clear and professional way to express that something had a significant impact.

What is the difference between "played a decisive role" and "played a significant role"?

"Played a decisive role" indicates a greater impact than "played a significant role". Decisive suggests that the outcome hinged on the role played, while significant implies a substantial but perhaps not outcome-determining contribution.