Grammar fix

a pivotal role

decisive part

to have a very important or decisive influence on the outcome of a situation, event, or process.

collocationC1common

Hear it in context

Notice where the phrase sounds natural.

Her research played a pivotal role in the development of the new vaccine.work
In my opinion, teachers play a pivotal role in shaping young people's attitudes towards learning.IELTS speaking

Fix the pattern

Pattern: play/have a pivotal role (in something)

WrongHe played a pivotal role on the project.

RightHe played a pivotal role in the project.

'A role IN something', and the verb is 'play a role'.

Patternplay/have a pivotal role (in something)

Use it right

Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.

Stiff He fulfilled a critically decisive function in the negotiations.

Natural He played a pivotal role in the negotiations.

You PLAY a role; 'fulfilled a function' is mechanical and cold.

Build natural chunks

Words that usually travel with it.

play a pivotal role in
playinsuchhad

Don't confuse it

'A pivotal role' is more emphatic than 'an important role' or 'a key role', and should be used when describing something that is truly central to a result, not just helpful.

Try it in Daily Speak →