has been a factor in

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been a factor in" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when discussing influences or contributions to a particular outcome or situation. Example: "The new policy has been a factor in improving employee morale." Alternative expressions include "has played a role in" and "has contributed to."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that speeding-related accidents cost nearly $29 billion a year, and that speeding has been a factor in nearly a third of all fatal crashes.

The New York Times

Flower said a suggestion that Warner's description of Trott's second-innings dismissal as "pretty poor and pretty weak" has been a factor in the player's decision "would be inaccurate".

The Guardian - Sport

The recession has been a factor in those places, too.

The New York Times - Sports

The case has been a factor in tensions between Russia and the US.

The Guardian

The election calendar has been a factor in previous wars, even previous wars in Iraq.

The Guardian

Nonetheless, her ultra-American personality has been a factor in Burberry's turnaround.

The New York Times

This has been a factor in the expansion of child porn.

The Economist

The economy has been a factor in the movement in both directions.

The New York Times

Mr. Griffin agreed that "dysfunction in Washington" has been a factor in MSNBC's recent struggles.

The New York Times

His marriage in 2008 has been a factor in his late-career surge.

The New York Times

The health of prisoners accused of war crimes has been a factor in other legal proceedings.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has been a factor in", ensure you clarify the extent of the influence. Avoid overstating the impact if it's only a partial contribution. Provide specific details or evidence to support your claim.

Common error

Avoid using "has been a factor in" when the element's impact is negligible. Ensure there's a demonstrable connection between the factor and the outcome you're describing. Inflating the significance weakens your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been a factor in" serves as a causal connector, indicating that something has contributed to a particular result or situation. As shown by Ludwig, this phrase is commonly used to highlight contributing elements.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has been a factor in" is a versatile and frequently used expression to indicate that something has contributed to a specific outcome or situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely accepted. While "has been a factor in" is prevalent in news and media, scientific and formal business contexts, it is important to avoid overstating the influence of this aspect and provide specific details to support the claim. Remember to use related phrases such as "has contributed to" or "has played a role in" for alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has contributed to

Emphasizes the contribution towards a result, instead of highlighting its partial impact.

has played a role in

Focuses on the part played by something in a situation, subtly shifting the emphasis from a contributory aspect.

has influenced

Highlights the impact on something, emphasizing the effect rather than the contributory element.

has been instrumental in

Stresses the importance or essential nature of something, implying a significant role.

has been significant in

Underscores the importance or noteworthiness of something, focusing on the degree of impact.

has been a key component of

Suggests a vital part or element, emphasizing its composition and role in a system or structure.

has been a driving force behind

Implies a powerful or motivating element, emphasizing its role in instigating or propelling something.

has weighed on

Indicates an influence that adds pressure or stress, rather than a positive contribution.

has determined

Focuses on the decisive impact of something, highlighting its capacity to shape a final outcome.

has impacted

Highlights the effect on something, emphasizing a notable consequence.

FAQs

How can I use "has been a factor in" in a sentence?

Use "has been a factor in" to indicate that something has contributed to a particular outcome. For example, "The new policy "has been a factor in" improving employee morale".

What can I say instead of "has been a factor in"?

You can use alternatives like "has contributed to", "has played a role in", or "has influenced" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "has been a factor in" and "has been the main reason for"?

"Has been a factor in" indicates a partial contribution, while "has been the main reason for" suggests a primary or dominant cause. Using ""has been a factor in"" implies other influences were also at play.

Is it correct to say "has been a factor to" instead of "has been a factor in"?

No, the correct preposition to use is "in". "Has been a factor to" is grammatically incorrect. Always use ""has been a factor in"" when you mean to indicate contribution.