a substantial factor

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a substantial factor" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in contexts such as legal discussions or analyses to indicate that something plays a significant role in a particular outcome or situation. Example: "The court found that the defendant's actions were a substantial factor in causing the accident."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

Psychologists have found that a substantial factor accounting for this variability is the perceived degree of control that people have over their daily lives.

The Guardian

Colocation, or the ganging of several carriers on one tower, consolidates the environmental impact and increases the rental income, which can be a substantial factor.

The New York Times

Judge Jackson acknowledged the need to weigh whether the employee's speech was a substantial factor in being fired.

The New York Times

The jury said Propulsid, which was removed from the market in 2000 after being linked to 70 deaths, was not a substantial factor in the death of John Calvert of Napa, Calif.

The New York Times

"This will increase by a substantial factor the burden on remaining asbestos defendants," warned Richard Weinberg, general counsel for the GAF Corporation, a privately held company that is an asbestos litigant.

The New York Times

On a conference call a few days ago to announce a 98% drop in second quarter profitability, CEO John Anderson said the computer disaster was a "substantial" factor in a 19% decline in US sales and the subsequent profit meltdown.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

"The cooperation of Mary Anne Catalano was a significant and substantial factor in obtaining a felony conviction against Dr. Anthony Galea," Assistant United States Attorney Paul Campana wrote in his motion.

The New York Times - Sports

Although some amount of loss may be attributed to the advent of e-mail, a far more substantial factor is the rising volume of bills being both sent and paid online.

The New York Times

The authors concluded that personal values are an ornamental, rather than substantial, factor in decision-making.

BMC Medical Ethics

Shiftiness – or suspicions of shiftiness – now inspires a substantial discount factor.

The Guardian

Smoking is also, of course, a substantial risk factor for non HPV-related oral cancers, as well as lung cancer.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a substantial factor", ensure the context clearly establishes what it influences. For example, specify: 'a substantial factor in the project's success'.

Common error

Avoid using "a substantial factor" when the element's impact is minor or negligible. Overstating its importance can weaken your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a substantial factor" functions as a noun phrase that identifies something as significantly contributing to a particular outcome or situation. As Ludwig AI shows, it is frequently used to highlight the importance of a specific element.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

43%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a substantial factor" is a phrase used to highlight something that significantly influences an outcome or situation. Ludwig AI analysis indicates its grammatical correctness and common usage in News & Media and Science, where it lends a tone of formality and precision. Related alternatives include "a significant element" and "a considerable influence", offering ways to express similar importance with slightly different nuances. When employing this phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates what is being influenced and avoid overstating its importance to maintain credibility. With its frequent appearances in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, mastering the use of "a substantial factor" can enhance the clarity and impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant element

Replaces "factor" with "element", emphasizing the part played by something in a situation.

a major component

Substitutes "factor" with "component", highlighting that something is an essential part of a larger whole.

a considerable influence

Changes the noun from "factor" to "influence", which describes the power to affect someone or something.

a key aspect

Replaces "factor" with "aspect", focusing on a specific part or feature of something.

an important consideration

Changes "factor" to "consideration", highlighting the need to think about something when making a decision.

a critical variable

Replaces "substantial" with "critical" and "factor" with "variable", emphasizing that something is essential for determining an outcome.

a primary driver

Substitutes "factor" with "driver", conveying the sense that something is a key force behind an event or situation.

a notable determinant

Replaces "factor" with "determinant", which is something that controls or affects what happens in a particular situation.

a weighty consideration

Substitutes "substantial" with "weighty", emphasizing the importance and seriousness of a particular factor.

a significant contributor

Replaces "factor" with "contributor", stressing that something adds to or helps to cause a situation or result.

FAQs

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

Use "a substantial factor" to indicate that something has a significant influence or impact. For example: "The economic downturn was "a substantial factor" in the company's declining profits."

What are some alternatives to "a substantial factor"?

You can use alternatives like "a significant element", "a major component", or "a considerable influence" depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to say "a substantial factor" or "a major factor"?

Both "a substantial factor" and "a major factor" are appropriate, but "substantial" implies a significant amount or degree, whereas "major" suggests a greater level of importance or influence. The choice depends on the intended nuance.

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

"A contributing factor" indicates that something is one of several things that help to cause a particular situation, while "a substantial factor" emphasizes that it is one with significant influence or importance among others.