played an important role

USAGE SUMMARY

"played an important role" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it whenever you want to describe an important contribution or effect that something has. For example: "John played an important role in the success of the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But Lamb also played an important role.

The New York Times - Sports

The internet played an important role.

The Economist

International aid has played an important role.

Independent

They've played an important role.

The Guardian

Gender attitudes also played an important role.

The Guardian

Organized labor played an important role.

The New York Times

Big money played an important role.

The New York Times

But sensuality, too, played an important role.

The New York Times - Arts

Bargains have played an important role.

The New York Times

In addition, temperature played an important role.

Advances in Environmental Research

BFS played an important role in MHPCC.

Cement and Concrete Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "played an important role" to highlight a specific contribution rather than a general attribute. For instance, instead of saying "Teamwork played an important role in our company", specify how teamwork contributed to a particular achievement or project.

Common error

Avoid using "played an important role" excessively in your writing. Over-reliance on this phrase can make your writing sound repetitive and less impactful. Instead, vary your language by using synonyms like "was instrumental", "was a key factor", or "contributed significantly" to maintain reader engagement and convey your message more effectively.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "played an important role" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the significant contribution or influence of someone or something in a particular context. As supported by Ludwig, this phrase is widely recognized and grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

45%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "played an important role" is a versatile phrase used to emphasize the significant contribution or influence of someone or something. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely accepted. It commonly appears in diverse contexts such as "News & Media", "Science", and "Academia". While synonyms like "was instrumental" or "contributed significantly" can add variety, it's essential to ensure the context clearly indicates the nature and impact of the role. Avoid overuse to maintain the effectiveness and clarity of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was instrumental

Emphasizes the crucial nature of the contribution, implying that success depended on it. It's a shorter and more direct way to express importance.

was a key factor

Highlights the phrase as one of the essential elements that influenced an outcome. Focus is on identifying a primary cause.

contributed significantly

Focuses on the act of contributing and emphasizes the substantial impact of the contribution. Less about the role, more about the impact.

was a major influence

Highlights the power to affect something, stressing directional impact rather than just participation.

was central to

Indicates that something was indispensable or fundamental to a particular outcome. It's stronger than 'important' but less versatile.

served a crucial function

Focuses on the purpose that something fulfilled, emphasizing its necessity. More specific to tasks and systems.

was essential for

Highlights necessity, indicating that something was absolutely required. Suitable for situations where the role was non-negotiable.

had a considerable impact

Emphasizes the extent of the effect, focusing on how much something altered a situation. It's about the degree of change.

exerted a strong influence

Suggests the application of force or persuasion, highlighting active effect rather than passive participation.

was significant in

Focuses on the noteworthiness or consequence of something, often in a broader context.

FAQs

How can I use "played an important role" in a sentence?

Use "played an important role" to describe something or someone that had a significant impact or influence on a particular situation or outcome. For example, "Technology "played an important role" in the company's growth".

What are some alternatives to "played an important role"?

Alternatives include "was instrumental", "was a key factor", "contributed significantly", or "was a major influence". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to use "played an important role" or "played a crucial role"?

"Played a crucial role" emphasizes that the contribution was essential or necessary, while "played an important role" simply indicates that the contribution was significant. Use "played a crucial role" when the outcome heavily depended on the contribution; otherwise, "played an important role" is generally suitable.

What's the difference between "played an important role" and "had an impact on"?

"Played an important role" typically highlights the active contribution or function something performed, whereas "had an impact on" focuses on the effect or consequence. "Played an important role" suggests involvement, while "had an impact on" emphasizes the result of that involvement. For example, "The community "played an important role" in designing the new park", versus "The new park "had an impact on" the neighbourhood".