playing a part in

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "playing a part in" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It means that something or someone has contributed to or influenced a situation or outcome. Example: Technology has played a huge part in improving communication and making the world a more connected place.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Now they are playing a part in a farce.

The New York Times

Could climate change be playing a part in this trend?

The Guardian

Our hosts are certainly playing a part in that.

The Guardian

Bannon often seems to be playing a part in public.

The New Yorker

He was playing a part in someone else's story.

The Guardian - Music

"We see this building as playing a part in Turin's rebirth".

The New York Times

Playing a part in such high-level negotiations is why Mr. Turner joined the Legislature.

The New York Times

I'm just looking forward to playing a part in Andrew Strauss's 100th Test match.

Independent

Some even think the campaign is playing a part in China's lower growth figures.

The Guardian

Mr. Mizzi, who is white, said race was playing a part in the deliberations.

The New York Times

"I do see sexism and racism playing a part in this, which is what's particularly depressing.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a significant or decisive role, consider stronger alternatives like "instrumental in" or "crucial to" to convey the importance of the contribution.

Common error

Avoid using "playing a part in" when the subject's involvement is negligible or nonexistent. Ensure there's a genuine contribution to justify the phrase's usage.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "playing a part in" functions as a verbal phrase indicating contribution or involvement. It describes something or someone actively contributing to a specific event, process, or outcome, as demonstrated in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

28%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

6%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "playing a part in" is a versatile phrase used to describe involvement or contribution to an event or outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across diverse contexts, from news and media to science and academia. While the phrase is generally neutral in tone, be mindful of overstating the significance of the contribution. Consider stronger alternatives like "instrumental in" when the role is crucial. Remember to use "playing a part in" to clearly indicate participation without exaggerating the subject's influence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

involved in

Highlights the state of being connected or engaged in an activity or event.

contributing to

Focuses on the act of giving or adding something to a process or outcome.

participating in

Emphasizes the action of taking part in something with others.

taking part in

Similar to 'participating in', but can also imply a smaller or less significant role.

a factor in

Indicates that something is one of several elements that influence an outcome.

contributing factor to

Specifically points out the role of something as one of the elements causing a situation.

instrumental in

Suggests a crucial or vital role in bringing about a particular result.

influencing

Focuses on the power to have an effect on something or someone.

having a hand in

Implies involvement, often in a behind-the-scenes or less obvious way.

assisting with

Focuses on providing help or support to achieve something.

FAQs

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

You can use "playing a part in" to indicate that something or someone is contributing to an event or outcome. For example, "Technology is playing a part in transforming education".

What are some alternatives to "playing a part in"?

Alternatives include "contributing to", "involved in", or "participating in", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "play a part in" or "playing a part in"?

Both phrases are correct. "Play a part in" is often used as an infinitive or after a modal verb (e.g., "It will play a part in the future"), while "playing a part in" is used in continuous tenses (e.g., "It is playing a part in the ongoing process").

What's the difference between "playing a part in" and "playing a role in"?

The phrases "playing a part in" and "playing a role in" are largely interchangeable and have very similar meanings. Both indicate involvement or contribution to something.