plays a central role

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'plays a central role' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the key importance of something in a particular situation or context. For example, "Social media plays a central role in the modern economy."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Because it plays a central role in the financial system.

The New York Times

Nature plays a central role as in no other religion.

The Guardian

Film boiling plays a central role.

Journal of Loss Prevention in the Process Industries

That M≫m plays a central role.

Nuclear Physics B

Mojave plays a central role in all of this.

TechCrunch

Imaging plays a central role in diagnosing PAES.

Insights into Imaging

Among the above properties, robustness plays a central role.

EURASIP Journal on Audio, Speech, and Music Processing

The endothelium plays a central role in pathophysiology of sepsis.

Intensive Care Medicine Experimental

In this concept the criterion Λ plays a central role.

Acta Materialia

In this case, the Ω-notation plays a central role.

Fixed Point Theory and Applications

Assessment plays a central role in teaching and learning.

Language Testing in Asia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "plays a central role", ensure that the subject clearly demonstrates a critical influence or function within the context you are describing. Avoid vagueness by specifying how and why the subject is central.

Common error

Avoid using "plays a central role" when the subject has only a minor or supporting function. Overusing this phrase can dilute its impact and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "plays a central role" functions as a predicate nominative, emphasizing the subject's significance or importance. Ludwig examples confirm its use to highlight essential functions or influences within a given context. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely applicable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

23%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "plays a central role" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to emphasize the significance of a subject within a specific context. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is widely applicable across various domains. Its prevalence in scientific and news media underscores its versatility. While alternatives like "is crucial to" and "is essential for" exist, "plays a central role" effectively communicates the idea of something being indispensable. When employing this phrase, ensure that the subject genuinely holds a critical function to maintain clarity and credibility in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is of paramount importance

Replaces the verb "plays" with "is" and emphasizes importance using "paramount", increasing formality.

is crucial to

Highlights the critical necessity of something for a specific outcome.

is vital for

Indicates something is necessary for life, success, or continuation.

is essential for

Highlights the indispensable nature of something for a particular purpose.

is a key component

Focuses on the idea of being essential as part of a larger system or process.

is integral to

Emphasizes that something is an essential and inseparable part of a whole.

is fundamental to

Stresses the foundational nature of something's importance.

is indispensable to

Indicates that something is absolutely necessary and cannot be done without.

has a significant impact on

Shifts the focus to the effect or influence something has.

figures prominently in

Suggests that something is noticeable and important within a context.

FAQs

How can I use "plays a central role" in a sentence?

Use "plays a central role" to emphasize the importance of something within a specific context. For example, "Technology "plays a central role" in modern education" indicates that technology is crucial to education today.

What are some alternatives to "plays a central role"?

You can use alternatives such as "is essential for", "is crucial to", or "is a key component" to convey a similar meaning with different emphasis.

Is it correct to say "plays a central roles"?

No, the correct form is "plays a central role" (singular). "Role" should be singular because it refers to one primary function or position.

What's the difference between "plays a central role" and "plays an important role"?

"Plays a central role" emphasizes that something is indispensable or fundamental, while "plays an important role" simply indicates that something is significant but not necessarily critical. "Plays a central role" suggests a higher degree of influence or necessity.