roles

USAGE SUMMARY

'roles' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It can be used as both a noun and a verb. Example sentence: The different roles that students play in the drama club help them develop their teamwork skills.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Film

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Email: [email protected] / Twitter: @gabriellechan Katharine Murphy deputy political editor Katharine was national affairs correspondent for The Age and Sydney Morning Herald and had senior roles at The Australian and The Australian Financial Review.

The Guardian

We are conditioned to perform particular roles, as you see in families all the time: the unruly one, the caring one, the quiet one, the clingy one.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Comic Relief is typical of the small ideas that the BBC catalyses into programming on a scale that reaches deep into people's lives, and can make all of us think afresh about our roles and commitments.

The Guardian

Alex McDowell – head of legacy and tribute fundraising at NSPCC and chair of Remember a Charity Alex's fundraising career has included roles in the higher education sector, direct marketing and community fundraising as well as serving as head of fundraising at The Shakespeare Hospice in Stratford-Upon-Avon. Alex will be online from 1pm.

The Guardian

Barclays will announce on Thursday that it is cutting up to 8,000 investment banking roles – almost a third of the division's workforce – as it retreats from one of the most controversial parts of its business.

The Guardian - Business

A series of increasingly eye-catching screen roles followed, including Ada in the BBC's Bleak House, a guest shot on Doctor Who, the best friend in an ITV drama of another Austen, Northanger Abbey (playing second fiddle to Felicity Jones), and that stellar Seagull at the Royal Court, also in 2007.

The Guardian - Film

Lewis told me: "I can't wait to work with Andrea at last and get our teeth into these very meaty roles.

The Guardian - Film

Numerous production jobs will soon go as part of the "Delivering Quality First" cuts programme, as well as four on-screen presenter roles.

The Guardian

One solution to this problem could be from task shifting the roles of health professionals beyond the medical profession.

The Guardian

They had to recruit and train many unskilled Sierra Leonean staff to work as hygienists and in other support roles.

The Guardian

One of her early breakthrough film roles was as Victoria, Bob Hoskins's girlfriend, in the violent and highly rated 1980 London gangster thriller The Long Good Friday.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing professional environments, use "roles" to clearly define responsibilities and expectations within a team or organization.

Common error

Avoid using "roles" when you actually mean "goals". "Roles" define responsibilities, while "goals" are objectives to be achieved. For example, instead of saying "one of my roles is to increase sales", say "one of my goals is to increase sales".

Linguistic Context

The word "roles" primarily functions as a noun, referring to the part someone plays in a specific context, whether in a professional setting, a theatrical production, or society at large. Ludwig AI confirms that the usage is correct and common.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Film

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "roles" functions primarily as a noun, denoting the functions, duties, or parts that individuals or entities fulfill. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and frequent usage across a variety of contexts, particularly in News & Media and Formal & Business settings. To enhance clarity in your writing, ensure that you're using "roles" to define responsibilities and not confusing it with similar concepts such as "goals". Consider using alternative phrases like ""responsibilities"" or "functions" for nuanced meanings. By understanding its grammatical function and typical usage, you can effectively incorporate "roles" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

responsibilities

Focuses on the duties and obligations associated with a position, rather than the position itself.

functions

Emphasizes the specific actions or purposes that something or someone serves.

duties

Highlights the tasks and responsibilities one is obligated to perform.

positions

Refers to the specific jobs or ranks held within an organization or system.

capacities

Indicates the ability or function in which someone or something operates.

parts

Refers to the individual contributions or functions within a larger system or performance.

characters

Specifically refers to roles in a dramatic or narrative context.

designations

Emphasizes the official title or description of a role or position.

appointments

Highlights the act of assigning someone to a particular role or position.

obligations

Focuses on the binding commitments associated with a particular role.

FAQs

How to use "roles" in a sentence?

You can use "roles" to describe responsibilities within a team, like "Each member has specific "responsibilities"". It can also refer to parts in a play or film, such as "She played many different "characters"".

What can I say instead of "roles"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like ""responsibilities"", "functions", or "positions".

Which is correct, "roles" or "rolls"?

"Roles" refers to functions or parts played, while "rolls" are typically cylindrical pieces of bread. The correct word depends entirely on the intended meaning.

What's the difference between "roles" and "responsibilities"?

"Roles" generally refer to the position or part someone plays, while ""responsibilities"" are the specific duties and tasks associated with that role. A role defines the overall function, and responsibilities outline the tasks within it.