determining factor for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "determining factor for" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that has a significant influence or impact on a decision or outcome. Example: The cost of living is often seen as the determining factor for where people choose to live.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

And that was the whole determining factor for me".

The New York Times - Sports

Until 1915, that was the generally accepted determining factor for sex.

The New Yorker

For the Big Ten, television could be the determining factor for any new teams.

The New York Times - Sports

All the same, one official allowed that "age shouldn't be the determining factor for things".

The New York Times

In others words, price is not the only determining factor for buyers.

The Guardian

Ultimately, he said, the determining factor for reefs would be human efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The Guardian

The G.D.P. growth number could be the determining factor for policy actions.

The New York Times

"Condition is the determining factor for the sale of an apartment right now," said Frederick W. Peters, president of Ashforth Warburg Real Estate.

The New York Times

TurboTax generally costs a bit more than the other programs, but not by enough to make that the determining factor for most people.

The New York Times

The newly released file shows that while communist sympathies were the determining factor for the FBI, for MI5 the issue was whether Chaplin ever presented a security risk.

The Guardian

The determining factor for widget compatibility is whether your phone supports Java software, or more specifically what is known as Java MIDP 2.0.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "determining factor for", ensure that the sentence clearly indicates what is being determined. For instance, specify the decision, outcome, or result that the factor influences.

Common error

Avoid using "determining factor for" without clearly specifying what the factor is determining. A vague reference can confuse the reader and weaken the impact of your statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "determining factor for" functions as a noun phrase adjunct, modifying another noun to specify what influences or decides a particular outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Reference

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "determining factor for" is a commonly used expression to identify the main influence or cause of a particular outcome. As Ludwig AI explains, it is grammatically correct and widely applicable across various contexts. The phrase functions as a noun phrase adjunct, and while it maintains a neutral tone, it is prevalent in scientific, news, and formal business settings. When using this phrase, ensure that the sentence clearly specifies what the factor is determining to avoid vagueness. Alternatives such as "key determinant of" or "primary driver of" can provide similar emphasis while varying your language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

key determinant of

Replaces "factor" with "determinant" and uses "of" instead of "for", emphasizing a crucial element.

major influence on

Shifts the focus to "influence", highlighting a significant effect rather than a deciding element.

primary driver of

Uses "driver" to indicate a force that propels or causes something.

critical element in

Emphasizes the importance of an element within a larger context.

significant contributor to

Focuses on the contribution aspect, where the factor adds substantially to the outcome.

central aspect of

Highlights the central nature of the aspect in the matter.

essential component of

Presents the factor as a necessary part of something else.

fundamental reason for

Highlights the foundational reasoning behind something.

chief cause of

Identifies the main reason why something is happening.

main reason for

Specifies that the reason is the most important.

FAQs

How can I use "determining factor for" in a sentence?

Use "determining factor for" to show what most influences a result. For example, "Price is often the "determining factor for" consumers when buying products".

What is a phrase similar to "determining factor for"?

Similar phrases include "key determinant of", "major influence on", or "primary driver of".

What's the difference between "determining factor for" and "important factor for"?

"Determining factor for" implies a decisive role, while "important factor for" suggests significance but not necessarily decisiveness. Use "determining" when the factor is the main influence.

Is it correct to say "a determining factor is" or "the determining factor is"?

Both are correct, but "the determining factor is" is more appropriate when referring to the single most influential factor. "A determining factor is" is suitable when one of several factors is being discussed.