supporting role

USAGE SUMMARY

"supporting role" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe a minor or secondary role in a movie, book, or other production. For example, "Tom Hanks played a supporting role in the movie Forest Gump."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's a pivotal supporting role.

The Guardian - Film

The bread is there in a strictly supporting role.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

For example: his supporting role in "Amusement Park".

Huffington Post

Raima Sen plays supporting role of Lalita's chirpy cousin.

Wikipedia

(Playing a pronounced corporate supporting role: Kmart).

The New York Times

Death too plays a strong supporting role.

The New York Times - Books

It practically plays a supporting role.

The New York Times

Adults were assigned a supporting role.

The New York Times

"Man plays a supporting role".

The Guardian - Books

Chris Rock in a supporting role on Broadway?

The New York Times - Arts

The supporting role earned her a Tony Award.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a person's involvement in a project, specify the area in which they played a "supporting role" to provide context and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the significance of a "supporting role". Accurately represent its contribution without implying it was the primary driver of success.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "supporting role" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or the complement of a preposition. It identifies a secondary or contributory function within a larger context. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Science

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "supporting role" is a grammatically sound and widely used noun phrase that denotes a secondary or contributory function. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and appropriate for use in written English. Analysis of its usage reveals that it appears most frequently in news and media, encyclopedia entries, and Wikipedia articles. When writing, ensure you accurately represent the level of importance of the "supporting role" and avoid overstating its significance. Alternatives such as "secondary function" or "minor part" can be employed to add variety and precision to your writing. Understanding these nuances will allow you to effectively incorporate "supporting role" into your vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

secondary function

Focuses on the role being secondary in importance.

minor part

Highlights the limited involvement or significance.

auxiliary function

Emphasizes the helping or assisting nature of the role.

contributory role

Stresses the contribution made, though not the primary one.

assisting capacity

Focuses on the act of providing help or support.

subordinate position

Highlights the lower rank or status of the role.

instrumental part

Emphasizes the usefulness of the role in achieving a goal.

ancillary role

Suggests a supplementary or additional function.

facilitating role

Highlights the act of making something easier or possible.

collaborative role

Emphasizes the joint effort and cooperation involved.

FAQs

How to use "supporting role" in a sentence?

You can use "supporting role" to describe someone or something that assists or contributes to a larger goal or production. For example, "The new software played a "supporting role" in streamlining the company's operations."

What can I say instead of "supporting role"?

You can use alternatives like "secondary function", "minor part", or "auxiliary function" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a supporting role" or "an supporting role"?

It is correct to say "a supporting role" because "supporting" begins with a consonant sound.

What is the difference between "supporting role" and "leading role"?

A "supporting role" is a secondary or less prominent role, while a "leading role" is the primary or most important role.