a major contributing factor to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a major contributing factor to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the reasons or elements that significantly influence a particular outcome or situation. Example: "The lack of funding was a major contributing factor to the project's failure."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It's always been a top complaint and, anecdotally, a major contributing factor to crashes in New York City," he said.

The New York Times

"These cuts are a major contributing factor to the sad state of affairs, that we have got record numbers of prisoners now taking their lives".

The Guardian

This is a major contributing factor to the mental health issues among PhD students that the last Academics Anonymous article highlighted.

The Guardian

The mismatch between job requirements and skill sets is a major contributing factor to unemployment, according to the International Monetary Fund.

The New York Times

But nowadays, the intake noise is a major contributing factor to automotive passenger compartment noise levels.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

Wind erosion is a major contributing factor to soil degradation and environmental pollution.

Geoderma

This could be a major contributing factor to the accelerated deterioration of flexible pavement.

European Transport Research Review

These cracks are a major contributing factor to pavement damage, in addition to being a major contributing factor to the formation of reflection cracks.

Construction and Building Materials

This standardization is a major contributing factor to the success of CRM.

Annals of Intensive Care

Reckless driving is a major contributing factor to road morbidity and mortality.

Accident Analysis & Prevention

A major contributing factor to increased health disorders is alterations in bovine immune mechanisms.

Journal of Dairy Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a major contributing factor to", ensure that the connection between the factor and the outcome is clear and well-supported by evidence. This strengthens the argument and enhances credibility.

Common error

Avoid using "a major contributing factor to" when the factor is only minor or speculative. Overstating the importance of a factor can weaken your argument and mislead the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a major contributing factor to" functions as a causal indicator, identifying something that has a significant impact on a particular outcome. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating its use in various contexts to establish causation or influence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

64%

News & Media

25%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a major contributing factor to" is a widely used and grammatically correct phrase that serves to highlight something that significantly influences a particular outcome. Ludwig confirms its frequent usage across diverse fields like Science, News & Media, and Formal & Business settings. While generally suitable for formal contexts, it's important to ensure the identified factor truly has a substantial impact to avoid overstatement. Considering alternatives such as "a primary driver of" or "a key element in" can also add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a primary driver of

Focuses on the driving force or catalyst behind something, highlighting the active role in causing an effect.

a key element in

Emphasizes that it is a necessary or integral part of something, crucial for its existence or success.

a significant influence on

Highlights the power to affect someone or something without necessarily implying direct causation.

a critical component of

Stresses the importance of being an essential part that is needed for something to function correctly.

plays a pivotal role in

Indicates that something has a crucial and decisive effect on what happens.

largely responsible for

Places a high degree of accountability or causation on something for a particular outcome.

an important determinant of

Highlights the role in deciding or strongly influencing a specific outcome or condition.

a substantial factor in

Indicates that the element is significant in size, amount or degree relative to others.

centrally involved in

Emphasizes a core position or active engagement in a process or event.

highly influential in

Indicates a strong capacity to have an effect on character, development, or behavior.

FAQs

How can I use "a major contributing factor to" in a sentence?

This phrase is used to highlight something that significantly influences or causes a particular outcome. For example, "Stress is "a major contributing factor to" coronary artery disease".

What are some alternatives to "a major contributing factor to"?

Alternatives include phrases like "a primary driver of", "a key element in", or "a significant influence on", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "a major contributing factor to" in formal writing?

Yes, it is appropriate. The phrase is commonly used in formal, academic, and professional contexts to indicate a significant cause or influence. The frequency of the phrase, as shown by Ludwig, demonstrates its acceptance in such settings.

What's the difference between "a major contributing factor to" and "a minor contributing factor to"?

"A major contributing factor to" indicates a substantial influence, whereas "a minor contributing factor to" suggests a less significant impact. The choice depends on the actual degree of influence the factor has on the outcome.