played a significant role

USAGE SUMMARY

'played a significant role' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe the important or influential part that someone or something has had in a particular situation. For example, "He played a significant role in developing the new software."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Vilas initially played a significant role.

The New York Times - Sports

He says: Food played a significant role in my childhood.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

And once again the Japanese played a significant role.

The New York Times - Books

But Harmon has played a significant role in Woods's career.

The New York Times - Sports

The City of London also played a significant role.

The Economist

He also conceded that luck played a significant role.

The New York Times

Apparently berries played a significant role in their diet.

Encyclopedia Britannica

And it's likely that foreign terrorists played a significant role.

Independent

Prague played a significant role in the Reformation.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Animation has always played a significant role in experimental filmmaking.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The economic climate has also played a significant role.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "played a significant role" to clearly indicate that something had an important influence, but wasn't necessarily the only factor involved. It's useful when describing complex situations with multiple contributing elements.

Common error

Avoid using "played a significant role" when describing something that was only a minor factor. Ensure the evidence supports the claim of significance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "played a significant role" functions as a verbal phrase indicating that a subject had an important, though not necessarily exclusive, influence on an event, process, or outcome. Ludwig provides several examples demonstrating its use across diverse fields.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "played a significant role" is a versatile and commonly used expression to denote an important contribution. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely accepted. While alternatives exist, such as "was instrumental" or "was a key factor", "played a significant role" offers a balanced approach to highlighting importance without overstating influence. Usage patterns indicate prevalence in news, scientific, and encyclopedic sources, suggesting a neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, ensure the context supports the claim of significance to maintain clarity and accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was critical to

Emphasizes the decisive importance.

was a key factor

This highlights its importance as one of several contributing elements.

was vital to

Stresses the necessity of the contribution.

was central to

Highlights the essential nature of the contribution.

was instrumental

This alternative focuses on the crucial contribution made.

was a major influence

This emphasizes the power to affect something.

had a considerable impact

Focuses on the degree to which something was affected.

had a large hand in

Suggests direct involvement and influence.

contributed substantially

This stresses the notable amount of impact made.

was deeply involved in

This emphasizes active participation and influence.

FAQs

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

Use "played a significant role" to indicate that something or someone had an important part in an event, process, or outcome. For instance, "Technology "played a significant role" in the changing musical landscape."

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

You can use alternatives such as "was instrumental", "was a key factor", or "had a considerable impact" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "played a significant part" instead of "played a significant role"?

Yes, "played a significant part" is grammatically correct and has a similar meaning to "played a significant role". The choice depends on the desired nuance and style.

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

While both phrases indicate importance, "played a major role" suggests a greater degree of influence than ""played a significant role"". Major implies a more dominant or crucial contribution.