ESEN
Which one to use?Intermediatenounnoun / verb
RolevsRoll
'Role' is the part you play in a situation; 'roll' is to move by turning, a cylindrical shape, or a register.
Side-by-side comparison
Role
noun"Role" (with 'e') is the function or character someone performs: in a play, in society, or in an organization. "Play a role" = perform a function. "Role model" = someone worth emulating.
What is the role of the project manager in this process?
She played the lead role in the company's training video.
Diet plays a key role in preventing chronic disease.
Roll
noun / verb"Roll" is to move by turning over and over, or the result of that: a small bread, a cylinder, or a register of names. "Roll the dice" = throw the dice. "Roll call" = a reading of the attendance list.
The teacher called the roll at the start of each class.
The ball rolled down the hill and into the pond.
She ordered a chicken salad on a sesame roll.
Common mistake
- •"What is your roll in this project?" when asking about someone's function is wrong (correct: role).
- •And "A role of bread" when referring to the bread item is wrong (correct: roll of bread).
Trick to remember it
- •"Role" has one L, one part to play, specific and singular.
- •"Roll" has double L like two wheels turning, movement, cylindrical objects, registers.
Quick rule
Is it a function, character, or responsibility? "Role." Is it circular movement, a cylinder, a bread item, or a register? "Roll."
Did you know?
The term "role model" comes from the world of theatre: someone whose ROLE others want to imitate in real life. Sociologist Robert K. Merton coined the term in 1954 to describe the tendency of people to compare themselves with people from reference groups whose lives they aspire to emulate. Before the term existed, you simply admired someone and tried to imitate them, without a specific label. And in the modern business world, "role" is one of the most frequent words: "job role," "key role," "role definition" appear in nearly every job description.
Practise what you learned
Exercise 1 · Pick the right one
She played the _____ of the villain in the school play.
Exercise 2 · Pick the right one
He ate a cheese and ham _____ for lunch by the river.
Exercise 3 · Form the word
Related word pairs
AcceptvsExcept
One means to receive or agree to something, the other means to exclude or not include.
AdvicevsAdvise
'Advice' is the guidance you receive (noun); 'advise' is the act of giving that guidance (verb).
AffectvsEffect
'Affect' is the verb meaning to influence something; 'effect' is the noun meaning result or consequence.
AislevsIsle
'Aisle' is the walkway between rows of seats or shelves; 'isle' is a small island.
Bryan López
Founder of SpeakUP Academy