taking on a role

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "taking on a role" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing someone assuming a position or responsibility, often in a professional or theatrical context. Example: "In the upcoming play, she will be taking on the role of the lead character, showcasing her acting skills."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Taking on a role like this, and the story itself, will surprise people.

The Guardian - Film

Brewster's team will also remain in place in its current office in downtown NYC, essentially taking on a role at RBI as an in-house-offsite new ideas incubator.

TechCrunch

Taking on a role like Perkins, as performed by Robert Britton Lyons, might not be as difficult, seeing how the musician didn't become a cultural phenomenon like Presley -- now a fixture of Las Vegas impersonations -- but even Eddie Clendening (Presley) keeps most of the schtick out, as do Lance Guest as Cash and Levi Kreis as Lewis.

Huffington Post

[Sarah – patient, non-working sample] Significant others in the non-working sample were described as taking on a role in which they acted as anxious bystanders, with both patients and significant others in this group tending to 'catastrophise' regarding potential rather than actual consequences of the condition.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

"But look, time will tell if other theaters will buy into this, or if we're taking on a role that no one really wants us to take on," Mr. Dower continued.

The New York Times

He'll likely focus more on business strategy, finding new ways to extract more coin from lucrative properties such as USA, Sci Fi and Bravo — taking on a role similar to the one vacated by former NBC U Cable prexy David Zaslav, who ankled the Peacock last year for Discovery.

Forbes

His doctors had been wary of his taking on a role as demanding as the one in "Fiddler".

The New Yorker

THEM?" Because generally speaking they are the people who are either slow-witted enough to be press-ganged into taking on a role that, let's face it, no one else wants.

The Guardian - Money

To do so by taking on a role that is the polar opposite of the one burned into the public mind: that's a challenge many actors relish, but only one is pulling it off quite this well.

The New York Times

But she didn't mind taking on a role in the Pokécrawl.

The Guardian - Tech

Now she's taking on a role just as juicy in Shelagh Delaney's A Taste of Honey.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the connotations. "Taking on a role" is used when there is an active decision being made. It can sometimes imply a new or expanded set of responsibilities, so it’s perfect when you want to highlight change or new beginnings.

Common error

Ensure the context clearly defines what the new role entails. Saying someone is "taking on a role" without specifying what that role is leaves the reader without the needed information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "taking on a role" functions as a verbal phrase, indicating the action of assuming a specific duty, responsibility, or position. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used to describe the act of embracing new responsibilities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "taking on a role" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe the act of assuming responsibilities or duties, often within a professional or theatrical setting. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is readily used across various contexts, primarily in news and media, showcasing its versatility and broad applicability. While generally neutral in tone, careful consideration should be given to the specific context to ensure clarity and avoid vagueness. For example, when using the phrase it's important to specify the role that is taken to avoid leaving the reader without the needed information. Alternative phrases like "assuming a position" or "accepting a responsibility" can provide subtle variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

assuming a position

Focuses on the formal acceptance of a job or duty.

accepting a responsibility

Highlights the agreement to be accountable for something.

undertaking a task

Emphasizes the commencement of a specific activity.

embracing a duty

Suggests a willing and enthusiastic acceptance of an obligation.

stepping into a role

Implies transitioning into an established set of responsibilities.

assuming the mantle

Conveys inheriting a position of authority or leadership.

shouldering a responsibility

Focuses on the burden and weight of the obligation.

commencing an endeavor

Highlights the start of a project or undertaking.

becoming responsible for

States clearly who is in charge or accountable for something.

embarking on an assignment

Conveys the start of a specified project.

FAQs

What does "taking on a role" mean?

The phrase "taking on a role" refers to assuming a specific set of responsibilities or duties, often in a professional, theatrical, or social context. It implies actively accepting and committing to these responsibilities.

What are some alternatives to "taking on a role"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "assuming a position", "accepting a responsibility", or "undertaking a task".

How can I use "taking on a role" in a sentence?

Here's an example: "She is "taking on a role" as project manager for the new initiative". It indicates that she is assuming the responsibilities of a project manager for the initiative.

Is there a difference between "taking on a role" and "stepping into a role"?

"Taking on a role" often suggests initiating or newly accepting responsibilities, while "stepping into a role" might imply succeeding someone else or filling an existing position.