Grammar fix
play a role
be important
To have an important effect or influence on something.
collocationB1common
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
- Parents play a big role in shaping their children's values.daily life
- In my opinion, technology plays an important role in modern education because it makes learning more accessible.IELTS speaking
Fix the pattern
Pattern: play a/an [adjective] role (in something)
WrongDiet plays an important role for your health.
RightDiet plays an important role in your health.
'Play a role IN' something, not 'for'.
Patternplay a/an [adjective] role (in something)
Use it right
Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.
'Play a role in' is the natural collocation; 'constitutes a significant factor' is essay-stiff.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
play a role ina key rolean important rolein the decisiona part in
Don't confuse it
Not the same as 'act a role,' which means to perform as a character in a play or film.