has been a key factor

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been a key factor" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something has played an important role or contributed significantly to a situation or outcome over a period of time. Example: "The new marketing strategy has been a key factor in increasing our sales this quarter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The huge inflow of foreign capital, $400 billion a year, has been a key factor in the country's recent prosperity.

The New York Times

Pressure from the European Union has been a key factor.

The New York Times

Defense has been a key factor in Sheepshead Bay's success this season.

The New York Times - Sports

He added: "The weak economic background has been a key factor dampening housing demand this year.

The Guardian - Money

The overuse of antibiotics has been a key factor in the rise of resistant bacteria.

The Guardian

Gyan also believes a united squad has been a key factor in Ghana's success.

The Guardian - Sport

As noted yesterday, the use of the heavy roller has been a key factor in that.

The Guardian - Sport

Assad has been a key factor in making the Middle East the volcano it now is.

The Guardian - Opinion

Mining has been a key factor in the development of Canada's northlands.

Encyclopedia Britannica

PewDiePie, for example, has been a key factor in the breakthrough of games including Surgeon Simulator and Flappy Bird.

The Guardian - Tech

His irrepressible form over the last few games has been a key factor in the change of Bavarian fortunes.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has been a key factor", ensure that the rest of the sentence clearly explains the outcome or situation that the factor influenced. Be specific about the cause-and-effect relationship.

Common error

Avoid using "has been a key factor" when the factor is only marginally important. Overstating its significance can weaken your argument. Use more appropriate language to indicate lesser importance if the situation warrants it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been a key factor" serves as a predicate nominative, identifying a particular element as significantly contributing to a situation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread applicability across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "has been a key factor" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to highlight something of significant importance in contributing to a particular outcome. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its versatility allows for application across diverse fields, predominantly within News & Media, Scientific, and Encyclopedic contexts. It is important to use this phrase when emphasizing a notable cause-and-effect relationship, and avoiding overstatement of the element's influence. Semantically related alternatives include "has been instrumental" and "has played a crucial role".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been instrumental

Emphasizes the action of being helpful and crucial.

has played a crucial role

Highlights the significance of the part someone or something plays.

has been a major influence

Focuses on the power to affect someone or something.

has contributed significantly

Stresses the magnitude of the contribution.

has been a vital element

Emphasizes that something is essential and necessary.

has been central to

Highlights the importance of being at the center of something.

has been essential

Stresses the fundamental necessity of something.

has been critical to

Implies that something is decisive and crucial.

has been a driving force

Focuses on the energy and momentum behind something.

has underpinned

Highlights the supporting role something plays.

FAQs

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

Use "has been a key factor" to indicate that something has played a significant role in a particular outcome. For example: "Effective marketing "has been a key factor" in the company's recent success."

What are some alternatives to "has been a key factor"?

You can use alternatives like "has been instrumental", "has played a crucial role", or "has been a major influence" depending on the specific context.

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

Yes, both are grammatically correct but they have slightly different meanings. "Was a key factor" refers to something that was important in the past, while "has been a key factor" implies continued importance up to the present.

What is the difference between "has been a key factor" and "has been the key factor"?

"Has been a key factor" suggests one of several important factors, while "has been the key factor" implies it was the single most important factor. Using "has been the key factor" indicates that nothing else was as significant.