play a role — be important
collocationB1IELTS 5+neutralcommon
To have an important effect or influence on something.
Say it like a native
Textbook Education constitutes a significant factor in social mobility.
Native Education plays a big role in social mobility.
'Play a role in' is the natural collocation; 'constitutes a significant factor' is essay-stiff.
Pattern: play a/an [adjective] role (in something)
In use
- 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
Common mistake
✗ Diet plays an important role for your health.
✓ Diet plays an important role in your health.
'Play a role IN' something, not 'for'.
Common collocations
play a role in— a key role, an important role, in the decision, a 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.