plays its part

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "plays its part" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe how someone or something contributes to a situation or a particular outcome. For example, "The website design plays its part in increasing sales for the company."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But it plays its part in a wider Balkan pathology of ethnic tension and misrule.

The Economist

Luck always feels like a desperately weak explanation for anything but it plays its part.

The Guardian - Sport

Luck plays its part (as it should) but over 72 holes, the best man wins".

The Guardian - Sport

Substance undoubtedly plays its part – but it's not the only ingredient of leadership.

The Guardian

Of course, radical indoctrination plays its part, but it does not tell us the complete story about a violent act.

The Guardian - Opinion

It all plays its part and you want to be be happy with where you're playing".

BBC

However, while coke plays its part in the conflict, it is by no means the main issue.

Vice

So it is quite right that government plays its part to help ensure the celebrations are a success".

The Guardian

But it won't happen at all unless government plays its part.

The Guardian - Opinion

Traditionally, it reminds us of the past but the present plays its part, too.

Independent

Luck also plays its part.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "plays its part" when you want to indicate that something contributes to a larger process or outcome, but is not necessarily the only or most important factor. Be sure the 'it' clearly refers to a specific subject in your sentence.

Common error

Avoid overstating the importance of what "plays its part". It's a contributing factor, not necessarily the sole determinant. Using it when something is clearly the dominant cause can weaken your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "plays its part" functions as a predicate within a sentence, indicating the action or role that a subject performs in a given context. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

14%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "plays its part" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to describe the contributing role of something in a given context. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage across various domains. It is particularly prevalent in News & Media, and also appears in Science and Formal & Business contexts. While synonyms exist, "plays its part" provides a clear and neutral way to acknowledge contribution without overstating influence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

contributes to

Focuses on the direct contribution to a specific outcome.

makes a contribution to

Emphasizes the positive impact of the contribution.

is instrumental in

Suggests a crucial or essential role in achieving something.

has a role in

Highlights the function or purpose something serves.

has a hand in

Implies involvement, often in a less direct or obvious way.

is a factor in

Highlights the phrase's influence as one of several contributing elements.

is part of the equation

Emphasizes that something is a necessary element for success.

figures in

Indicates that something is included or relevant to a situation.

participates in

Indicates active involvement or sharing in an activity.

is involved in

General term indicating participation or connection.

FAQs

How can I use "plays its part" in a sentence?

Use "plays its part" to indicate that something contributes to an outcome, for example: "The website design "plays its part" in increasing sales for the company."

What are some alternatives to "plays its part"?

You can use alternatives like "contributes to", "is instrumental in", or "has a role in" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "plays a part" or "plays its part"?

"Plays a part" is generally used when the role isn't specifically defined or unique to the subject. "Plays its part" is used when referring to a defined role or contribution of something specific.

What does it mean when something "plays its part"?

It signifies that something is contributing or has an effect in a particular situation, but it is not necessarily the only factor involved. It has a contributing, but not necessarily dominant, influence.