chief determinant

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "chief determinant" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the primary factor or influence that determines an outcome or situation. Example: "In this study, the chief determinant of success was found to be the level of education attained by the participants."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

Intake is all, because it is the chief determinant of performance.

The Guardian - Opinion

Left-right divisions are no longer the chief determinant of tribal loyalties in Europe.

The Economist

Possession of a marriage license is no longer the chief determinant of which obligations a couple must keep, either to their children or to each other.

The New York Times

and Was there a critical turning point when human beings came to depend on technological systems, or system of systems, as the chief determinant of their behavior?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

At almost every turn, McKinley is now viewed as the chief determinant and mover of Republican domestic and foreign policy in the last years of the nineteenth century.

The New York Times

In a Star Trek-style world, then, Dr Cowen thinks the chief determinant of interest rates would be the price of starship fuel.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

It is widely appreciated that increasing environmental heterogeneity is one of the chief determinants of high species richness.

Ecological Indicators

The behavioral approach was also central to the work of the American sociologist and political scientist Seymour Martin Lipset, whose influential Political Man: The Social Bases of Politics (1960) used statistical and historical data to demonstrate that social class is one of the chief determinants of political behaviour.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Moreover, although women with some risk factors for osteoporosis are more likely to use estrogen, the chief determinants of estrogen utilization are socioeconomic.

Duke University

More recently, Toulza et al. [42] proposed that CD4+CD25high FoxP3+ cells are the chief determinants of the efficiency of T-cell-mediated immune control of HTLV-1.

Plosone

Clearly, one of the chief determinants here is the duration of the travel time downstream from the point of discharge.

Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "chief determinant", ensure that the context clearly supports the idea that this factor is indeed the most important one influencing the outcome. Avoid overstating its importance if other factors also play a significant role.

Common error

Avoid presenting the "chief determinant" as the only factor. Acknowledge that while it may be the most important, other elements likely contribute to the final outcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "chief determinant" functions as a noun phrase that identifies the most significant factor influencing a particular outcome or situation. Ludwig's examples show its use in diverse contexts ranging from economics to science.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

39%

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Academia

11%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "chief determinant" is a grammatically sound phrase used to denote the most important factor influencing a specific outcome. It's prevalent in scientific and news contexts, as shown by Ludwig's examples. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. When using this phrase, it's crucial to ensure the context supports its significance, avoiding overemphasis and acknowledging other contributing factors. Alternatives such as "primary factor" or "main influence" can be used depending on the desired nuance. Therefore, it is valid to use in your article.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

foremost factor

Emphasizes that the factor is first in rank or importance.

main factor

A more general term indicating the most important element influencing a situation.

key influence

Highlights the power to affect something significantly.

primary driver

Focuses on the 'driving' force behind something, suggesting a cause that propels action or change.

principal cause

Emphasizes the causal relationship, pointing to the primary reason something happened.

major element

Indicates a significant component within a larger system or context.

central aspect

Draws attention to the core or most important feature of something.

critical component

Stresses the essential nature of a part that is vital for the whole to function.

prime mover

Similar to 'primary driver' but with a slightly more formal or philosophical tone.

underlying reason

Focuses on a less obvious, but fundamentally important, cause.

FAQs

What does "chief determinant" mean?

The term "chief determinant" refers to the most important factor that influences or decides an outcome. It signifies the primary element that plays a decisive role.

How can I use "chief determinant" in a sentence?

You might say, "The level of education is often the "chief determinant" of career success" or "Price is the "main driver" of consumer demand."

Are there synonyms for "chief determinant"?

Yes, you can use phrases like "primary factor", "main influence", or "key element" as alternatives to "chief determinant".

In what contexts is it appropriate to use the phrase "chief determinant"?

The phrase "chief determinant" is suitable for formal writing, academic papers, news articles, and any context where you need to clearly identify the most significant factor affecting a particular result.