plays a role in vs plays a role

Both "plays a role in" and "plays a role" are correct, but they are used in slightly different contexts. "Plays a role in" is used when specifying the context or situation where the role is being played, while "plays a role" is more general and does not specify the context.

Last updated: March 23, 2024 • 853 views

plays a role in

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

Use "plays a role in" when you want to specify the context or situation where the role is being played.

Examples:

Education plays a crucial role in shaping a child's future.
Teamwork plays a significant role in the success of a project.

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Culture is also a factor in social cohesion and can contribute to the fight against unemployment and social exclusion, as Mr Perry mentioned when he said culture plays a role in creating jobs.
whereas an Independent Human Rights Commission was set up in June 2002, on the basis of the Bonn agreements and under the chairmanship of Sima Samar, and whereas it plays a role in defending human rights,
It plays a role in the European legislative process, although it has different prerogatives depending on the decision-making procedure used.
The Parliament plays a role in the EU's legislative process, although with differing prerogatives that depend on the procedures through which the respective EU legislation is to be enacted.
Security plays a role in every aspect of daily life.
Can you comment on how that plays a role in water consumption and pollution.
Family destruction plays a role in the crimes.
For this reason it is important that the Parliament plays a role in the appointments.
It is therefore important that the Community plays a role in the international standard setting process for financial markets.
I hope that this understanding plays a role in the Council, too.
But the question I'd like to explore is whether quantum mechanics plays a role in this.
The temporal lobe plays a role in the formation of long-term memory.
The economic analysis mainly plays a role in the decision on whether or not to fund an infrastructure project.
The main objective of this project is to analyze to which extent finance plays a role in this result.
It is essential that the cultural sector contributes to and plays a role in broader European political developments.
Libya plays a role in regional and global security, including in countering the spread of extremism and in maritime governance.
Three northern Greek provinces bear names with Macedonia in them, and it also plays a role in Greece's ancient history.
It has been revealed, for example, that the human element plays a role in 80% of accidents.
Everybody plays a role in the implementation of equal opportunities, from government bodies to national authorities, from the civil society to individual European citizens.
Immigration is a sign of economic vitality, and plays a role in bringing in active, resourceful people.

Alternatives:

has a role in
fulfills a role in
serves a role in
performs a role in
acts a role in

plays a role

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

Use "plays a role" when you want to refer to the general concept of playing a role without specifying the context.