played a large role

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "played a large role" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used when discussing an individual's or group's involvement in some type of event or occurrence. For example, you could say "The volunteer staff played a large role in the success of the fundraiser."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Simple reaction also played a large role.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Unsurprisingly, parental factors played a large role.

The New York Times - Health

Andrei: Harvard played a large role in our becoming friends.

Harvard University

Hog production has also played a large role in agriculture.

Britannica

Religion played a large role in her politics.

The Washington Post

His work played a large role in conquering polio.

The New York Times

Of course, anthropomorphism played a large role in their depiction.

The New York Times - Arts

Architect Lucio Costa also played a large role.

The New Yorker

Emotion may have played a large role in the decision.

The Economist

SMS text messaging also played a large role in helping communities organize protests during the emergency.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cornell Tech and eLab played a large role in Datalogue's recent success, according to Delisle.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "played a large role", ensure the context clearly identifies what entity had the significant influence and what was affected by it. Be specific to enhance clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "played a large role" when the influence was minimal or indirect. Opt for phrases like "contributed to" or "was involved in" to accurately reflect the degree of impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "played a large role" functions as a verbal phrase, specifically indicating the degree of influence or importance someone or something had in a particular event or situation. Ludwig confirms its correct and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "played a large role" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to convey significant influence or contribution. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage is correct and suitable across diverse contexts, especially in News & Media and Academia. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the influencing entity and the affected area. While alternatives like "was instrumental" or "had a major impact" exist, each carries slightly different nuances. Avoiding overstatement is crucial for accurate representation. Therefore, "played a large role" remains a valuable asset in expressing substantial involvement when used judiciously.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had a major impact

Similar to "played a large role", but emphasizes the effect of the action.

contributed significantly

Emphasizes the contribution made, often as part of a larger effort.

was instrumental

Implies a crucial role, often suggesting indispensable contribution.

was a major force

Suggests strong influence or power.

was a key factor

Indicates importance as one of several elements, not necessarily the most important.

significantly influenced

Highlights the impact one thing had on another, focusing on the effect rather than the action.

exerted substantial influence

Formal way to express a strong influence on something.

was central to

Highlights the essential or core aspect of something.

figured prominently

Emphasizes noticeable or significant presence.

held considerable sway

Suggests influence or persuasive power.

FAQs

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

You can use "played a large role" to indicate that something or someone had a significant impact on an event or situation. For example, "The community's support "played a large role" in the project's success."

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

Alternatives include phrases like "was instrumental", "had a major impact", or "contributed significantly", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "played a large role" or "played a key role"?

Both are correct, but "played a key role" suggests a more essential or critical function, while ""played a large role"" simply emphasizes significant influence.

What is the difference between "played a large role" and "played a part"?

"Played a part" indicates involvement, but not necessarily a significant one. "Played a large role" indicates a substantial level of influence or importance.