play a role of vs play a role as

Both 'play a role of' and 'play a role as' are commonly used phrases in English. They are interchangeable and can be used to indicate the action of performing a specific character in a play, movie, or any other situation where a role is involved.

Last updated: March 24, 2024

play a role of

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

This phrase is used to indicate the action of performing a specific character in a play, movie, or any other situation where a role is involved.

Examples:

She played the role of a detective in the movie.
He played the role of a villain in the play.
They played the role of siblings in the TV series.

Show examples from the web [+]

Interestingly enough, in paragraph 42, Mr Lagendijk urges the European Union to play a role of neutral mediator between Serbia and Montenegro.
You can't prepare to play a role of a person that you don't know.
Serbia and its economy play a role of paramount importance in the process of regional integration, and its participation in European integration is also essential.
Our task as Members of the European Parliament is to see if we might play a role of some kind and then to offer our support and experience and in that way help resolve the conflict surrounding Kashmir.
Is there an area of justice within which Interpol could play a role of preventing and controlling the spread of violence and terrorism?
It was very important for us to have an opportunity to say whether nuclear weapons play a role of any kind in the future of the common, foreign and security policy.
At best, and I know that many take a more pessimistic view, the new generation will be able to realise that no country can play a role of any importance in the year 2000's globalised world if they do not totally respect human rights.
Within the context of the revival of the growth and employment Lisbon objectives, the Seventh Framework Programme plays a role of the utmost importance.
In its intervention on the market, the State plays a role of borrower and a role of majority shareholder in a number of companies.
Marie-Ann... plays a role, of course but maybe not so much for me as for Irene.
If the European Union is to play a real role of any significance in the world, it should stop appearing to be a purely economic alliance and grow into political adulthood.
They simply play a role in the conclusion of transport contracts between carriers and passengers.
Security plays a role in every aspect of daily life.
We also play a role in the implementation of arms embargoes by prohibiting related technical assistance.
States, regions and autonomous communities should play a role in the definition of this consensus.
Parliament recognises that emissions trading has the potential to play a role as part of a comprehensive package of measures to address the climate impact of aviation, provided it is appropriately designed.
However, it is clear that Bali and the two-degree goal do not play a role for any of the Directorates-General.
These carboxy-terminal fragments are thought to play a role in the regulation of parathyroid hormone activity.
If the EU is in future to play a role in the area of foreign policy, we must learn from what has happened.
It has been revealed, for example, that the human element plays a role in 80% of accidents.

Alternatives:

portray a role of
assume a role of
take on a role of
act a role of
perform a role of

play a role as

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

This phrase is also used to indicate the action of performing a specific character in a play, movie, or any other situation where a role is involved.