can play a main role vs could play a main role

Both "can play a main role" and "could play a main role" are correct, but they are used in different contexts. "Can play a main role" is used to express general ability or capability in the present or future, while "could play a main role" is used to express a possibility or hypothetical situation in the past or future.

Last updated: March 21, 2024 • 910 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to express general ability or capability in the present or future.

"can play a main role"

This phrase is used to indicate that someone has the ability or potential to perform a main role in a play, movie, or any other context.

Examples:

She can play a main role in the upcoming theater production.
He can play a main role in the movie if given the opportunity.

Show examples from the web [+]

The SWR can play a main role to build and foster a safety culture, shared among governments, company and unions. The action of the unions cannot be limited ...
[15] Skeletal muscle biopsy can play a main role in differentiating vascular dystrophy from non-dystrophic disorders and IHC can assist in establishing a specific ...
Mar 17, 2015 ... Packaging can play a main role in this. Magnum own the act of consumption The Magnum packaging and the crack of the chocolate on the first ...
However, if Alberto stays safe and fresh, he can play a main role in the GC. Alberto and the boys had a really productive altitude camp on Teide, where Rovny ...

Alternatives:

is able to play a main role
has the capability to play a main role
is capable of playing a main role
has the ability to play a main role
can take on a main role

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to express a possibility or hypothetical situation in the past or future.

"could play a main role"

This phrase is used to suggest that someone had the potential or possibility to perform a main role in the past or future, or to talk about a hypothetical situation.

Examples:

She could have played a main role in the play, but she declined the offer.
He could play a main role in the next movie if he auditions successfully.

Show examples from the web [+]

Mar 8, 2016 ... ... (Wood–Ljungdahl pathway), could play a main role in carbon fixation metabolism rather than the CBB cycle identified in other SAR324 (Fig.
Of AOEs, MnSOD was more abundantly expressed in low stage tumors suggesting that its antioxidant function could play a main role to prevent development of ...
Jun 30, 2011 ... It implies the enzyme complex could play a main role in the production of methylmalonyl-CoA from propionyl-CoA, which is a precursor of ...
mentor could play a main role in this process. Where possible, the employee should receive training and coaching in social codes and social skills that are ...

Alternatives:

might play a main role
may play a main role
was able to play a main role
had the potential to play a main role
had the possibility of playing a main role

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can play a main role vs could play a main role