a determining factor

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a determining factor" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing an element that significantly influences an outcome or decision. Example: "The cost of production was a determining factor in the company's decision to expand its operations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The degree of genetic determinism in media messages has been examined as a determining factor.

Life Sciences, Society and Policy

Elevation is a determining factor.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But that was not a determining factor.

The New York Times - Sports

Which candidate that trend benefits may be a determining factor.

The New York Times

It's not a determining factor in a career".

The New York Times - Arts

But it needs to be a determining factor.

The New York Times - Sports

Space, of course, is a determining factor on performance, something critics rarely acknowledge.

The Guardian - Books

"Bigness alone is not a determining factor," Mr. Smith of Newsweek said.

The New York Times

As with race, income levels seemed to be a determining factor in how people fared.

The New York Times

A determining factor will also be developments in around Syriza – far from predictable right now.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The price of oil, of course, will continue to be a determining factor.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a determining factor" when you want to emphasize that something is crucial in influencing a decision, outcome or process. For greater impact, ensure it is clear exactly how the factor determines the result.

Common error

Avoid using "a determining factor" if the element in question is merely contributory, not decisive. Ensure it truly dictates the outcome, or opt for softer language like "a significant influence".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a determining factor" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a specific element which decisively influences an outcome or a decision. Ludwig AI confirms its wide usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a determining factor" is a commonly used expression to denote a crucial element that significantly influences an outcome or decision. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for a wide range of contexts, especially in News & Media and Scientific publications. While alternatives such as "a key factor" or "a major influence" exist, "a determining factor" specifically highlights the decisive nature of the element being discussed. It's important to use this phrase when the element truly dictates the outcome, rather than merely contributing to it.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a key factor

Emphasizes importance, but less definitive than "determining".

a deciding influence

Implies a direct impact on the final decision or outcome.

a major influence

Highlights impact without necessarily being the final deciding element.

a crucial element

Focuses on the necessity of the element for a specific outcome.

the pivotal aspect

Suggests that the aspect is central to the matter at hand.

a significant cause

Indicates a causal relationship, possibly among multiple causes.

a primary driver

Suggests a strong force behind a particular result.

the main reason

Highlights the principal explanation for something.

the critical variable

Emphasizes the importance of a changing factor.

an important consideration

Highlights the need to carefully think about the issue.

FAQs

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

You can use "a determining factor" to highlight something crucial that influences a decision or outcome. For example, "Price was "a determining factor" in their decision to switch suppliers."

What are some alternatives to "a determining factor"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases such as "a key factor", "a major influence", or "a crucial element".

Is it correct to say "the determining factor was"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. You can say, "The determining factor was the lack of funding" to indicate that the absence of funding was the decisive reason.

What is the difference between "a determining factor" and "a contributing factor"?

"A determining factor" is the element that ultimately decides the outcome, while "a contributing factor" is one of several elements that influence the result, but not necessarily the decisive one.