a major determinant of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a major determinant of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing factors that significantly influence or determine an outcome or situation. Example: "Education is a major determinant of an individual's career success."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Ms. Aiken says determining the company's "ethos will be a major determinant of success".

The New York Times

Climate is a major determinant of soil type.

Britannica

A major determinant of tumor characteristics and patient outcome.

Nature

A Major Determinant of Tumor Characteristics and Patient Outcome.

Nature

Wave amplitude is a major determinant of esophageal clearance.

Nature

Population size is a major determinant of extinction risk.

Biological Conservation

Protein content is a major determinant of skeletal muscle size.

Experimental Gerontology

Gonadal hormones are a major determinant of these sex differences.

Molecular Metabolism

Principal coordinate analysis suggested monoculture time was a major determinant of bacterial and fungal community structures.

Nature

Ease of competitive entry is a major determinant of the speed of degeneration of a specialty.

Harvard Business Review

The quality of human life in Afghanistan will be a major determinant of future stability.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing for a broad audience, consider using simpler alternatives like "key factor" or "significant influence" to enhance clarity and accessibility.

Common error

Avoid using "a major determinant of" when the relationship is correlational rather than causal. Instead, use phrases like "associated with" or "related to" to avoid implying a direct cause.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a major determinant of" functions as a noun phrase, specifically identifying a significant influencing factor. It's used to highlight the importance of something in causing or affecting a particular outcome, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

55%

News & Media

21%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a major determinant of" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase, as validated by Ludwig AI. It serves to underscore a strong causal relationship or significant influence. While common across various domains, it's particularly prevalent in scientific and academic writing. When using the phrase, ensure that the identified factor truly has a substantial influence and avoid overstating causality where the relationship is merely correlational. Consider simpler alternatives such as "key factor" or "significant influence" for broader audiences. Remember to use "a major determinant of" when you want to emphasize a primary cause and its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a key influencing factor for

Emphasizes the influence as a key aspect, rather than a determinant.

a primary driver of

Focuses on the phrase driving or propelling the effect.

a significant factor in

Highlights the significance of the factor in contributing to an outcome.

a crucial element for

Stresses the element's crucial nature and necessity.

a vital component of

Indicates that the phrase is essential and critical to the outcome.

a central aspect of

Highlights the centrality and importance of the element.

a strong influence on

Focuses on the strength of the influence exerted by the phrase.

a leading contributor to

Emphasizes the contribution and leadership in causing the effect.

a critical factor for

Highlights the factor's critical importance but is more direct.

an important element in

Highlights the importance of the element, without emphasizing determination.

FAQs

How can I use "a major determinant of" in a sentence?

Use "a major determinant of" to indicate a significant factor influencing an outcome, like: "Socioeconomic status is "a major determinant of" access to healthcare."

What are some alternatives to using "a major determinant of"?

You can use alternatives like "a key factor in", "a significant influence on", or "a primary driver of" depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to say "major determinant" or "key factor"?

While both are valid, ""a major determinant of"" implies a stronger, more direct causal relationship, whereas "key factor" suggests a significant but potentially less decisive influence.

How does "a major determinant of" differ from "a contributing factor to"?

"A major determinant of" suggests a primary cause, whereas "a contributing factor to" implies one of several influences working together.