has been a major factor

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been a major factor" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something has played a significant role in a particular situation or outcome over a period of time. Example: "The increase in online shopping has been a major factor in the decline of brick-and-mortar retail stores."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"In terms of improved security, the wall has been a major factor," he said.

The Guardian

Humanity has been a major factor, out of ignorance more often than malice.

The New York Times - Books

I truly believe his approach has been a major factor in the success of Sally's recovery.

The Guardian

The crushing conflict in Syria, now well into its fourth year, has been a major factor.

The Guardian

Anaemic government spending, not profligacy, has been a major factor behind the economy's lacklustre recovery.

The Guardian - Business

"That has been a major factor driving overall prices higher," she said.

The Guardian

But the President's hesitancy about reform has been a major factor in the continuing weakness.

The New York Times

But one such longstanding feature of US government has been a major factor in promoting it.

The Guardian

"Accelerated investment has been a major factor spurring economic expansion," Mr. Ye said today.

The New York Times

Reddick credited the pitching for the team's rise, but he has been a major factor, too.

The New York Times - Sports

The Fed's stimulus has been a major factor supporting a four-year rally in stocks.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has been a major factor", ensure the context clearly supports the assertion that the element you're describing truly had a significant influence. Provide evidence or examples to strengthen your claim.

Common error

Avoid using "has been a major factor" when the element's influence is minor or unsubstantiated. Overusing this phrase can weaken your argument and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been a major factor" functions as a predicate nominative, identifying a key element or cause that significantly contributes to a particular situation or outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Science

13%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has been a major factor" is a versatile phrase used to emphasize the significant influence of something on a particular outcome. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and widely employed across diverse fields, from news and media to science and formal business contexts. While suitable for various registers, it's crucial to ensure the stated influence is well-supported by evidence to avoid overstating its importance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has played a significant role

Substitutes "major factor" with "significant role", offering a slightly more formal tone.

has been a key element

Replaces "major factor" with "key element", highlighting the essential nature of the contribution.

has been a primary driver

Replaces "factor" with "driver", emphasizing the propelling or causative aspect.

has been instrumental

Indicates that something was crucial or vital to a specific outcome.

has greatly contributed

Changes the structure to emphasize the action of contributing significantly.

has had a large impact

Focuses on the effect or influence that something has had.

has been a substantial contributor

Highlights the contribution as being of significant size or importance.

has been central to

Indicates something is at the core or heart of the matter.

has been a critical component

Emphasizes that something is a necessary part of a larger whole.

has been a leading cause

Highlights that something is a principal origin or reason.

FAQs

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

Use "has been a major factor" to emphasize that something significantly influenced an outcome or situation. For example, "Increased public awareness "has been a major factor" in the progress we've achieved so far."

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

You can use alternatives such as "has played a significant role", "has been instrumental", or "has greatly contributed" to express a similar idea.

Is it better to say "has been a major factor" or "has been a significant factor"?

Both "has been a major factor" and "has been a significant factor" are correct and convey a similar meaning. The choice depends on the specific context and desired emphasis. "Major" suggests a more substantial impact than "significant".

Can "has been a major factor" be used to describe negative influences?

Yes, "has been a major factor" can be used to describe both positive and negative influences. The phrase simply indicates that something had a substantial impact, regardless of whether that impact was beneficial or detrimental. For example, "The economic crisis "has been a major factor" in increasing unemployment."