the very role

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the very role" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize a specific role or function that is being discussed or highlighted in a particular context. Example: "In this project, the very role of the leader is to inspire and motivate the team to achieve their goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

The very role of local government is under threat".

The Guardian

Indeed, this is the very role of journalism as an institution of modernity.

The Guardian

The trouble is that this is the very role that Labour's leader, Ehud Barak, has striven to create for himself.

The Economist

What, then, is fair about this conservative protest when judges are performing the very role that the Constitution says they should be performing?

The New York Times

It can promote feelings of lack of identity or of self-worth, sometimes depression, undermining the very role that has been so nobly undertaken.

The Guardian - Opinion

Dow Chemical Co intends to go a lot further, declaring that it wants to change the very role of business in society.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

These were the very roles Moe, Larry and Curly played when they began their independent film career and took on their enduring moniker in 1934.

The New York Times - Arts

Both of us must step outside of our adversarial roles, the very roles that caused the wrongful conviction in the first place and then keep it from being reviewed, often for decades.

The Guardian - Opinion

Their wedding, at St . Bartholomews Episcopal Church in New York, was the culmination of a courtship that had begun with a commercial shoot in New Zealand in the very roles that still define their working relationship: he as director, she as producer.

The New York Times

A sense of dislocation is perhaps most palpable when Busch discusses his acting career, which has produced some "sur­real" moments in which he ends up performing the very roles he has actually — or might have — undertaken.

The New York Times - Books

Another way to make the experience a better one is to clarify your attitude about the very roles you've taken on.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the very role" to emphasize the fundamental or essential function of something, especially when contrasting it with a perceived deviation or misunderstanding of that function.

Common error

Avoid using "the very role" in sentences where a simpler term like "the role" or "its function" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily emphatic or unnatural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the very role" functions as a noun phrase emphasizing the essential or fundamental nature of a particular role or function. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in highlighting the core purpose or duty of a subject.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the very role" is a phrase used to emphasize the fundamental or essential function of something. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English, employed when highlighting a core purpose. The phrase is common across news, scientific, and formal business contexts. When using "the very role", ensure it adds meaningful emphasis and isn't redundant; simpler alternatives may suffice in certain situations. Consider alternatives like "the core function" or "the essential purpose" depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the core function

Focuses on the essential function instead of emphasizing the role itself.

the essential purpose

Highlights the main purpose, shifting the emphasis from the role.

the fundamental responsibility

Emphasizes the responsibility aspect rather than the broader concept of a role.

the primary duty

Emphasizes the obligatory aspect of the role.

the key contribution

Focuses on the contribution made by the role, changing the perspective.

the main objective

Focuses on the objective that the role aims to achieve.

the central task

Highlights the task aspect, narrowing the scope from the overall role.

the critical element

Highlights that the role is a crucial element or component.

the defining characteristic

Emphasizes that the role defines a specific attribute or quality.

the inherent attribute

Focuses on an attribute that is intrinsic to something.

FAQs

How can I use "the very role" in a sentence?

You can use "the very role" to emphasize the fundamental function or purpose of something. For example, "The very role of education is to prepare individuals for life."

What are some alternatives to "the very role"?

Alternatives include phrases like "the core function", "the essential purpose", or "the fundamental responsibility", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "the very role" instead of simply "the role"?

"The very role" is appropriate when you want to emphasize the fundamental or essential nature of the role, especially in contrast to a misunderstanding or deviation from that role.

Is "the very role" formal or informal?

"The very role" is suitable for neutral to formal contexts. While grammatically correct, it carries a certain emphasis that might be unnecessary in very informal settings.