ability to factor

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ability to factor" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing someone's skill or capability to perform mathematical factoring or to analyze and break down information into components. Example: "Her ability to factor complex equations quickly impressed her math teacher."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

In "Why Justice O'Connor Could Be Affirmative Action's Unlikely Savior" (Editorial Observer, April 6), Adam Cohen is right that Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, who is the swing vote in many Supreme Court decisions, may indeed play a decisive role in determining the fate of college admissions programs across the country and their ability to factor race into their admissions process.

The New York Times

The cross-sectional nature of the analysis (and database) also precluded the ability to factor the timing of concomitant diagnoses within the admission into the high-risk categorization process.

BMC Infectious Diseases

The association of age of onset, duration of epilepsy, in-scanner task performance and general verbal ability to factor scores was investigated using Pearson's r correlation coefficient.

Brain

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Overall, the above results highlight the sensitivity of bilingual executive control abilities to factors such as proficiency and immersion in the non-native language.

Bilingualism

Thrombin and factor Xa were then directly tested for their ability to activate factor XI.

Duke University

A major mechanism of its hemostatic efficacy is its ability to activate factor X on the surface of activated platelets in a tissue factor (TF -independent manner.

Thrombosis Research

GNA1870 has also been termed fHbp because of its ability to bind factor H, a key regulatory component of the alternative complement pathway.

Vaccine

The benefits of using DoE, compared to a more traditional 'one factor at a time approach' are robustness, sample efficiency, the ability of evaluate mixtures of multiple components as well as the ability to evaluate factor interactions.

Heritage Science

One particular exosite augments protein C's ability to inactive Factor Va efficiently.

Wikipedia

Inhibitors occurring among patients are measured by their ability to inhibit factor activity in vitro.

American Journal of Preventive Medicine

Heparins that are too small to form this bridge have almost no effect on thrombin inhibition by antithrombin but retain the ability to inactivate factor Xa [ 73].

Critical Care

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ability to factor", ensure that the context clearly indicates whether you are referring to mathematical factoring, or the more general sense of analyzing and breaking down information.

Common error

Avoid using "ability to factor" in ambiguous situations. Clarify whether you mean mathematical factorization or analytical decomposition to prevent misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ability to factor" functions as a noun phrase, describing a specific capability or skill. It indicates the capacity to decompose or analyze something, either mathematically or conceptually. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Academia

34%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ability to factor" describes the capacity to break down complex problems or information. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for use in various contexts. While primarily found in science, news media, and academia, the phrase is versatile and can be adapted to formal writing. When using "ability to factor", clarity is key; ensure your audience understands whether you are referring to mathematical factoring or a broader analytical skill. Alternatives like "capacity to analyze" or "skill in dissecting" can provide subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

capacity to analyze

Focuses on the general capability to examine and understand components.

skill in dissecting

Emphasizes expertise in breaking down complex issues or information.

aptitude for breaking down

Highlights a natural talent for simplifying complex concepts.

competence in decomposing

Indicates a proficient capability to separate something into its constituent parts.

facility to resolve

Suggests an ease in finding solutions by understanding underlying factors.

power to deconstruct

Implies a strong capability to critically analyze and dismantle complex structures.

potential for dissecting

Focuses on the undeveloped capability to carefully analyze and separate.

talent for isolating variables

Highlights a natural skill in identifying specific elements.

knack for simplifying

Suggests an inherent ease in making complex matters easier to understand.

proficiency in segmenting

Indicates a high degree of skill in dividing something into distinct parts.

FAQs

How can I use "ability to factor" in a sentence?

You can use "ability to factor" to describe someone's skill in mathematics, like "Her ability to factor quadratic equations was impressive". You can also use it more broadly, such as "The analyst's ability to factor in external economic conditions led to accurate predictions".

What does "ability to factor" mean?

The phrase "ability to factor" can refer to the mathematical skill of factoring numbers or equations. It can also refer to a broader analytical skill, meaning the capability to break down a complex problem or situation into smaller, more manageable components.

What are some alternatives to "ability to factor"?

Consider alternatives like "capacity to analyze", "skill in dissecting", or "aptitude for breaking down" depending on the context. Each emphasizes slightly different aspects of analytical capability.

Is "ability to factor" formal or informal?

"Ability to factor" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends on the surrounding vocabulary and the specific situation in which it's used. Ludwig examples show its usage in academic papers and news articles.