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.
In my opinion, teachers play a pivotal role in shaping young people's attitudes towards learning.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
Not: He played a pivotal role on the project.
Say: He played a pivotal role in the project.
'A role IN something', and the verb is 'play a role'.
Which sounds natural?
Tap the one a native speaker would say.
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
- play
- in
- such
- had