played a key role

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'played a key role' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when talking about someone or something playing an important and influential role in achieving an outcome. For example, "Maria played a key role in the success of the project, ensuring that the deadlines were met and the budget was adhered to."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Princetonians played a key role.

Princeton University

Architecture played a key role.

The Guardian - Arts

The Health Ministry has played a key role.

Independent

"And Anthony Sampson played a key role.

The Guardian

Where he played a key role.

The Guardian - Sport

Defense played a key role in Stephens' recruitment.

Princeton University

Vaughan Pratt played a key role in software development.

Stanford University

The so-called Lambda Calculus played a key role.

University of California, Berkeley

So computers have played a key role in Bayesian estimation.

Cornell University

Alumni played a key role in making this building possible.

University of California, Berkeley

The sulfate played a key role in the arsenate removal.

Journal of Membrane Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "played a key role" to emphasize the importance of a specific contribution or involvement, ensuring clarity about the impact made. For example, "Technology played a key role in streamlining the project workflow."

Common error

Avoid overuse by varying your language. Instead of repeatedly stating that something "played a key role", consider alternatives like "was instrumental in" or "made a significant contribution" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "played a key role" functions as a verb phrase indicating the performance of an action that had substantial importance or influence. As Ludwig AI points out, it's widely used to emphasize the significance of someone or something in achieving a particular outcome.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

35%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "played a key role" is a versatile and widely used phrase to emphasize the significant contribution or influence of someone or something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various contexts. While it's suitable for neutral to professional communication, overuse should be avoided by using synonyms like "was instrumental in" or "made a significant contribution". It is commonly found in news, academic, and scientific sources, making it a valuable addition to your writing toolkit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

played a central part

Replaces "key role" with "central part", emphasizing the importance of the role.

played a decisive role

Emphasizes that the role was key in determining the outcome.

was crucial to

Indicates that the role was essential for success.

was instrumental in

Uses a different verb to highlight the agency and effectiveness of the role.

was vital for

Similar to "crucial", but emphasizes the life-or-death importance of the role.

made a significant contribution

Shifts the focus to the contribution made, rather than the role itself.

was a major factor

Highlights the influence of the role as a contributing element.

had a primary effect on

Indicates a direct and significant impact.

exerted a critical influence

Emphasizes the power and importance of the influence.

figured prominently in

Highlights the noticeable and important presence of the role.

FAQs

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

Use "played a key role" to highlight something's significant contribution or influence in a specific situation. For instance, "Data analysis "played a key role" in identifying market trends".

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

You can use alternatives such as "was instrumental in", "made a significant contribution", or "was a major factor" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "played a key role at" or "played a key role in"?

While both can be grammatically correct depending on the context, "played a key role in" is generally more common and versatile. For example, "She "played a key role" in the negotiations" is preferred over "She "played a key role" at the negotiations".

What is the difference between "played a key role" and "played a minor role"?

"Played a key role" indicates a significant or essential contribution, while "played a minor role" suggests a less important or secondary involvement. The choice depends on the actual degree of influence exerted.