factor something in

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "factor something in" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when discussing the inclusion of a variable or consideration in a calculation or decision-making process. For example: "When planning the budget, we need to factor in unexpected expenses." Alternative expressions include "take into account" and "consider."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Professional

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The only problem was the noise factor — something in the mix seemed to have redoubled not only the volume but the fury of the birds' calls, so that you needed earplugs if you wanted to enjoy pretty much any outdoor activity).

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Instead, users also need a second factor ("something you have") to log in to their accounts.

TechCrunch

So he quickly published something in a journal with a miniscule impact factor, something like the Journal of Everyone Gets a Trophy.

Science Magazine

Sexual arousal is dependent on neural (sensory and cognitive), hormonal, and genetic factors, something also defined in Ayurveda as well but using a scientific language pertinent to this age.

BioMed Research International

This may signify some difference between the pharmacist patient (patient-oriented) and pharmacy patient (business-oriented) relationships [ 32, 56, 57]; pharmacists' professional behavior may have depended more on individual factors (e.g., professional commitment, qualifications, ethical cognition) than organizational factors, something that should be explored in future studies.

BMC Health Services Research

Thus, in the CTS analysis we were able to adjust for known breast cancer risk factors, something we were not able to do in this statewide study.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Ultimately, Sapolsky finds he has to factor in something as quirky as personality.

The New York Times - Books

Tolerance looks even better when we factor in something "The Problem of Social Cost" did not consider: the value of innovation and learning.

The New York Times

But Sullenberger's reserve notwithstanding, investigators are loath to lay credit or blame on any one factor in something as complex as an aviation accident.

Huffington Post

However, there is something in The X Factor's romantic sense of the future and its possibilities that I shall be careful not to crush.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It may also factor in borrowers' credit scores, something it has not done in the past.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "factor something in" when you are explaining how a specific piece of information or a variable influences a larger outcome or decision. It works best in analytical or planning contexts where multiple elements must be weighed against one another.

Common error

Do not use "factor something in" when you mean to remove or ignore a variable. The opposite phrase is "factor out". Ensure that you are discussing the inclusion of a factor rather than its exclusion to maintain clarity in your analysis.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "factor something in" acts as a transitive phrasal verb. In linguistic terms, it requires an object (the 'something') that is being included in a set of considerations. As seen in Ludwig AI examples, the object can be placed between the verb and the particle or after the particle.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Social Media

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "factor something in" is a robust and essential phrasal verb for anyone involved in analytical writing or professional communication. According to Ludwig, it is widely utilized by top-tier publications to describe the integration of variables into a broader context. Whether you are discussing economic forecasts or personal decisions, using this phrase correctly demonstrates a structured and thorough approach to problem-solving. Remember to maintain the particle "in" to ensure the meaning of inclusion is preserved.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take something into account

more formal and commonly used in legal or academic writing

consider something

a simpler and more direct verb for general contexts

allow for something

specifically suggests preparing for a potential problem or variation

include something

focuses on the act of adding an item to a list or calculation

account for something

implies explaining or providing a reason for a specific factor

bear something in mind

suggests keeping information accessible during a thought process

reckon with something

implies dealing with a difficult or significant factor

incorporate something

suggests integrating a factor into a larger structure or system

weight something

used in statistics to denote giving a factor specific importance

integrate something

implies a seamless merging of a new factor into a plan

FAQs

How do I use "factor something in" in a sentence?

You use it when adding a variable to a calculation. For example, "When estimating travel time, you must "factor in traffic" conditions."

What is the difference between "factor in" and "consider"?

While both involve thinking about something, "factor in" often implies a more systematic or mathematical inclusion in a decision process, whereas "consider" is broader and can be more subjective.

Can I use "factor into" instead of "factor in"?

Yes, you can say something "factors into" a decision. "Factor in" is usually the active form (you factor something in), while "factor into" describes the relationship (the cost factors into the decision).

What can I say instead of "factor something in"?

You can use synonyms like "take something into account", "allow for", or "incorporate" depending on the formality of the situation.