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English in a Minute Series 4

Intermediate level

Verbs to use with 'role'

Episode 250304 / 04 Mar 2025

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Introduction

A role is the behaviour of a person in a specific situation. There are some words that we often use together. These are called collocations. Learn some of the verbs that we often use with the noun 'role' with Beth.

Common collocations with 'role'

play a role
If you play a role, you act as something or someone else. 

  • I'm playing the lead role in the summer musical.

perform a role
If you perform a role, you do certain jobs or tasks.

  • He's been performing the role of waiter this week because the restaurant is so short-staffed. 

take on a role
If you take on a role, you do a task or job that you don't normally do.

  • Aside from your normal job, could you take on the role of developer next week?  

define a role
If you define a role, you are the person that says what the responsibilities and tasks are of a particular position.

  • If we're creating a new position, make sure you define the role clearly in the job advert. 

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TRANSCRIPT

Note: This is not a word-for-word transcript.

Beth

We all play roles. I'm playing the role of presenter now!

A role is the behaviour of a person in a specific situation. If you play a role, you might be part of a play or film.

Susi's audition went well, and she's going to play the role of Wendy in Peter Pan in the play this winter.

You can also performarole. That means that you do certain jobs or tasks.

He's normally a teacher but he's been performing the role of student since starting French classes.

If you take on a role, you do a task or job that you don't normally do.

Our manager is on maternity leave now. Louise is taking on the role of manager for the next six months.

You can also define a role. This means you are the person that says what the responsibilities and tasks are of a particular position, often a job.

The company have never had a mental health ambassador before. John's been given the job, so he'll define the role.

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