played a vital role

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'played a vital role' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe something important that something or someone did. For example: My grandparents played a vital role in raising me and providing me with a secure and loving home.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Sir David has played a vital role in my life.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

He played a vital role in one journalistic coup.

The New York Times

And Jews played a vital role in Mediterranean commerce.

The New York Times - Arts

But other shareholders have played a vital role.

The Economist

The camps played a vital role, offering training facilities that attracted hundreds of potential recruits.

The Guardian

They played a vital role in Lithuania declaring independence back in 1990.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Your love and encouragement has played a vital role in his development.

The Guardian

And simple text messages have played a vital role in health education.

The Guardian

The project played a vital role, constructing new classrooms and providing desks and textbooks.

The Guardian

The brightly coloured plastic jugs once played a vital role transporting water during Ghana's droughts.

The Guardian

Over the last decade, he has played a vital role in two important deals.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "played a vital role", ensure the context clearly indicates the specific area or outcome influenced. Specificity enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "played a vital role" when the contribution was minor or insignificant. Exaggerating the importance weakens the impact of the phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "played a vital role" functions as a predicate in a sentence, typically followed by a prepositional phrase or a clause specifying the area or context where the role was significant. It asserts the active and essential contribution of a subject.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "played a vital role" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to highlight the significant contribution of someone or something. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage across various contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedias. When using the phrase, ensure clarity about the influenced area and avoid overstating importance. Alternatives like "was instrumental in" or "was critical to" can offer nuanced emphasis. The phrase is suitable for both neutral and professional registers, making it a versatile choice for conveying importance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was instrumental in

Focuses on the concept of being crucial or essential to a particular outcome.

was critical to

Emphasizes the necessity and importance for success or effectiveness.

contributed significantly to

Highlights the substantial contribution made towards a specific result.

was essential for

Indicates that something is indispensable or absolutely necessary.

had a major impact on

Highlights the strong influence or effect exerted on something.

was a key factor in

Identifies something as being a particularly important element.

served a crucial function in

Focuses on the critical purpose or task that something fulfilled.

was fundamental to

Emphasizes the foundational importance of something.

was indispensable for

Highlights the irreplaceable nature of something for a particular purpose.

was paramount in

Highlights the supreme importance of something.

FAQs

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

You can use "played a vital role" to emphasize the importance of someone or something in achieving a specific outcome. For instance, "Technology "played a vital role" in the company's growth".

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

Alternatives include "was instrumental in", "was critical to", or "contributed significantly to", depending on the context.

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

Yes, "played a vital role" is suitable for formal writing as it is a clear and professional way to express the importance of something. However, consider alternatives like "was essential for" in certain academic or scientific contexts where precision is paramount.

What's the difference between "played a vital role" and "played an important role"?

"Played a vital role" suggests a higher degree of importance or necessity compared to "played an important role". Vital implies something is crucial or indispensable.