a decisive factor

USAGE SUMMARY

'a decisive factor' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to refer to a single element that has a major role in determining the outcome of a situation or process. For example, "Time was a decisive factor in the eventual success of the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

That will be a decisive factor.

The Guardian - Sport

That was a decisive factor in my miscall.

The New York Times

These numbers are not a decisive factor — but they help".

The New York Times

McHale agreed that Li's experience was a decisive factor.

The New York Times

Student movements have long been a decisive factor in Latin American politics.

The New York Times

"It's a decisive factor," said Yvonne Evans, a City Council member.

The New York Times - Arts

But if that was the case, then one cricketer - Basil D'Oliveira - was a decisive factor too.

The Guardian - Sport

The injustice he saw was, Aslan suggests, a decisive factor in radicalising him.

The Guardian - Books

Plainly, a decisive factor for Lauder is his devotion to his institutional scion, the Neue Galerie.

The New Yorker

This may have been a decisive factor in his sudden transfer to The Hague.

The Guardian

In today's technically super-efficient Formula One, breakdowns are rare and seldom a decisive factor.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using synonyms like "key determinant" or "crucial element" for variety and to avoid repetition, especially in longer texts.

Common error

Avoid using "a decisive factor" when the element in question is merely contributing, not definitively determining, the outcome. Using weaker language like "a contributing factor" maintains accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a decisive factor" functions as a noun phrase typically serving as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies a particular element that significantly influences or determines a specific result or outcome, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

38%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

3%

Huffington Post

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a decisive factor" is a noun phrase used to highlight a key element influencing an outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across diverse contexts like news, science and encyclopedias. While versatile, it's crucial to ensure the identified factor truly determines the result, rather than merely contributing. Consider using synonyms for variety and to avoid redundancy. Remember that, while authoritative, "a decisive factor" shouldn't overstate the actual impact of a given element.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a key determinant

Focuses on the idea of something that strongly influences or determines an outcome.

a crucial element

Highlights the essential nature of a factor in achieving a desired result.

a significant influence

Emphasizes the impact a factor has on something.

a major consideration

Highlights the importance of something when making a decision.

an instrumental component

Focuses on the active role a component plays in achieving a goal.

a determining influence

Stresses the power of a factor to shape or control an outcome.

a critical aspect

Highlights the importance of a particular part or feature of something.

a pivotal point

Emphasizes a turning point that significantly affects the course of events.

a game changer

Informal term emphasizing a factor's ability to alter the course of events dramatically.

a primary driver

Highlights the role of a factor as the main force behind something.

FAQs

How can I use "a decisive factor" in a sentence?

You can use "a decisive factor" to indicate the most important element influencing a situation's outcome. For example, "The economy was "a decisive factor" in the election results."

What are some alternatives to "a decisive factor"?

Alternatives include "a key determinant", "a crucial element", or "a significant influence". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "decisive factor" or "important factor"?

"Decisive factor" implies a greater impact than "important factor". Use "decisive" when the factor essentially determines the outcome; use "important" when the factor contributes significantly, but other factors also play a role.

Can "a decisive factor" be negative?

Yes, "a decisive factor" can describe something that negatively influenced an outcome. For example, "Poor planning was "a decisive factor" in the project's failure."