played a part

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "played a part" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it whenever you want to describe someone's role or contribution to a process or event. For example, "Alfred played a part in the success of the company's new project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Luck played a part, too.

The Guardian - Film

It's definitely played a part".

The New York Times - Sports

That certainly played a part.

Independent

"But it played a part".

The New York Times

Other factors played a part.

The New York Times - Books

Technology played a part too.

The Economist

Luck has played a part.

The Economist

Serendipity played a part.

Harvard University

Poor governance has played a part.

Independent

Fiscal laxity has also played a part.

The Economist

Technology has also played a part.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "played a part", ensure the sentence clearly indicates what the subject contributed to and the context of their involvement. For example, "Her research played a part in the development of the new vaccine."

Common error

Avoid using "played a part" without specifying the nature and extent of the contribution. Instead of saying, "Technology played a part", be specific: "Technological advancements played a significant part in accelerating the research process."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "played a part" functions as a verbal phrase indicating contribution or involvement in a particular event or outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and acceptable usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Academia

18%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "played a part" is a versatile expression used to indicate that something or someone had an influence or contribution to a particular outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and widely accepted in various contexts. Analysis of usage patterns reveals that it is most frequently encountered in news and media, academic writing and scientific publications. While alternatives like "contributed to" or "had a role in" exist, "played a part" offers a general and widely understood way to express involvement or influence. To use it effectively, ensure clarity by specifying the nature of the contribution and the context in which it occurred.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had a role in

Similar to "played a part", but can suggest a more defined or specific function.

contributed to

Directly indicates a contribution towards something.

was a factor in

Identifies something as one of several elements influencing an outcome.

had a hand in

Suggests involvement or influence, often implying a more active role.

was instrumental in

Emphasizes the importance and essential role of something.

was involved in

Suggests participation or engagement in an activity or process.

factored into

Highlights the consideration of something as a contributing element.

aided in

Implies providing assistance or support to achieve something.

participated in

Indicates taking part in an activity or event.

assisted with

Highlights the support provided during a process or event.

FAQs

How can I use "played a part" in a sentence?

Use "played a part" to indicate that someone or something had an influence or contribution to a particular outcome. For instance, "The community's support "played a part" in the project's success."

What are some alternatives to "played a part"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "contributed to", "had a role in", or "was instrumental in".

Is it better to say "played a part" or "had a role"?

Both "played a part" and "had a role" are correct and often interchangeable. "Had a role" might suggest a more defined or formal function, while "played a part" can be more general.

What does it mean when something "played a part"?

When something "played a part", it means it had some level of involvement or influence in bringing about a certain result. The degree of influence can vary, but it indicates a contributing factor.