a decisive factor for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a decisive factor for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing an important element that influences a decision or outcome in a particular context. Example: "The availability of funding was a decisive factor for the project's approval."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Costs as a decisive factor for investment decisions can best be compared as total costs of ownership (TCO) for the consumer (for a detailed discussion, see[54]).

Energy, Sustainability and Society

Therefore, whilst ongoing telephone-based peer support appears to impact upon breastfeeding rates [ 19], the findings from this study suggest that one-off calls to the helpline were important in terms of encouraging, and making callers more determined, to breastfeed, rather than operating as a decisive factor for callers ongoing infant feeding decisions.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

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

The New Yorker

But anecdotal evidence suggests that the risk of a British leave vote has been a decisive factor for many.

The Guardian

"This great party, the Conservative Party, which has been a decisive factor for every Republican statewide win since this party was founded, is absolutely essential.

The New York Times

On the same day, in Gratz v. Bollinger, the high court said Michigan's undergraduate college had unlawfully made race "a decisive factor for virtually every minimally qualified underrepresented minority applicant".

The New York Times

Genotype was a decisive factor for embryo differentiation.

Scientia Horticulturae

This fact may be a decisive factor for further use of mushroom species.

AMB Express

A decisive factor for the development in Feldheim was social capital.

Energy, Sustainability and Society

A decisive factor for this is a sufficient supply of low-sulphur fuel [25].

European Transport Research Review

However, the type of reputation is not a decisive factor for consumers' cognitive processes.

Fashion and Textiles

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a decisive factor for", ensure that the factor you are describing truly had a significant impact on the outcome. Avoid using it for minor influences.

Common error

Avoid using "a decisive factor for" when the element only contributed partially or indirectly to the result. Reserve it for situations where the impact was truly substantial.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a decisive factor for" functions as a noun phrase, acting as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies an element that strongly influences or determines a particular outcome or decision, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

63%

News & Media

23%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Science & Research

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a decisive factor for" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to highlight an element that significantly influences an outcome. As Ludwig AI has shown, it's frequently found in scientific and news contexts, carrying a neutral to formal tone. When employing this phrase, ensure the factor truly had a substantial impact to avoid overstating its influence. Consider alternatives like "a key factor for" or "a critical factor for" for nuanced emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a vital factor for

Replaces "decisive" with "vital", indicating essential importance but with a slightly different nuance.

a critical factor for

Substitutes "decisive" with "critical", suggesting a higher degree of necessity or potential risk if absent.

a key factor for

Uses "key" instead of "decisive", indicating a fundamental or central aspect.

a significant factor for

Replaces "decisive" with "significant", highlighting the importance and influence of the factor.

a major influence on

Shifts the structure to emphasize influence rather than a direct determining role.

a determining element of

Replaces "factor" with "element" and restructures the sentence to emphasize the act of determining.

a pivotal element in

Substitutes "decisive factor" with "pivotal element", highlighting a turning point or crucial component.

a crucial determinant of

Replaces "factor" with "determinant", focusing on the factor's ability to definitively decide an outcome.

the most important aspect of

Significantly alters the sentence structure to emphasize importance as the most prominent aspect.

fundamental to

Shortens and simplifies the phrase, emphasizing the foundational nature of the factor.

FAQs

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

Use "a decisive factor for" to indicate a key element that significantly influenced an outcome. For example, "The candidate's strong debate performance was "a decisive factor for" their victory".

What can I say instead of "a decisive factor for"?

You can use alternatives like "a key factor for", "a critical factor for", or "a major influence on" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "the decisive factor" instead of "a decisive factor"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "the decisive factor" implies there was only one significant factor, while "a decisive factor" suggests one of several important factors.

What is the difference between "a decisive factor for" and "a contributing factor for"?

"A decisive factor for" indicates a key element that significantly influenced an outcome. In contrast, "a contributing factor for" suggests one of many elements that had some, but perhaps not the most significant, influence.