a minor factor

USAGE SUMMARY

"a minor factor" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that is relatively unimportant or insignificant in comparison to other aspects of a situation or process. For example, "The size of the room was a minor factor in choosing this apartment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Food, however, was definitely a minor factor in our trip.

The New York Times - Travel

Voyeurism was therefore not a minor factor in the foment of revolution.

The New York Times - Arts

Teams need big men, and age sometimes becomes just a minor factor.

The New York Times - Sports

Weather seems to be a minor factor in explaining these deaths.

The Guardian

The Bush administration had said biofuels were a minor factor in rising food costs.

The New York Times

PAGE 1 QUESTIONING ETHANOL The Bush administration's position has been that biofuels are a minor factor in rising food costs.

The New York Times

The flow of asylum seekers is only a minor factor in the growth of migration to Britain.

The Guardian

The more pessimistic view -- which I find more plausible -- is that competition for talent is a minor factor.

The New York Times - Magazine

PAGE 1 The Bush administration's position has been that biofuels are a minor factor in rising food costs.

The New York Times

None of them support the view that this is more than a minor factor.

The New York Times

Davis had been a minor factor in the first half, scoring 4 points.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a minor factor", ensure the sentence clearly identifies the major factors for context and comparison.

Common error

Avoid using "a minor factor" when the element significantly influences the outcome; this can mislead the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a minor factor" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or an appositive. It identifies something as having a reduced level of importance or influence within a given context. Ludwig provides many examples where this phrase clarifies the relative weight of a contributing element.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a minor factor" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to indicate that something has limited importance or influence compared to other elements. As indicated by Ludwig, it appears frequently in news, scientific, and business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by identifying the major factors and avoiding overstatement of insignificance. Alternatives like "a secondary consideration" or "relatively unimportant" may be suitable depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

relatively unimportant

Directly states that something is not very important.

a secondary consideration

Emphasizes that something is not the main priority or concern.

not a major concern

Indicates that something is not a primary worry.

of secondary importance

Similar to "a secondary consideration", emphasizing lower priority.

a small element

Highlights the limited size or influence of something.

of little consequence

Highlights the lack of importance or impact.

a negligible aspect

Indicates something is so small it can be disregarded.

a marginal issue

Suggests something is on the periphery and not central.

plays a limited role

Focuses on the restricted influence of something.

a trivial detail

Implies something is insignificant and unimportant.

FAQs

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

Use "a minor factor" to indicate something that has a small impact compared to other elements. For example, "While cost was a consideration, it was "a minor factor" in our decision."

What are some alternatives to saying "a minor factor"?

You can use alternatives like "a secondary consideration", "a small element", or "relatively unimportant" depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to say "a minor factor" or "an insignificant factor"?

"A minor factor" suggests some influence, however small, while "an insignificant factor" implies almost no influence. The choice depends on the degree of impact you want to convey.

Can "a minor factor" be used to downplay the importance of something?

Yes, using "a minor factor" can downplay something's importance by suggesting other elements are more significant. Use with caution to avoid misrepresenting the situation.