is a factor in

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is a factor in" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which something is a contributing factor to a particular outcome. For example: "Lack of sleep is a factor in poor academic performance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Rareness is a factor in all this".

The New York Times

* Messiness is a factor in road food.

The New York Times

"That definitely is a factor in the increasing deaths".

The New York Times

Attrition is a factor in the study of any language.

The New York Times

Strength of opposition is a factor in the B.C.S. computation.

The New York Times - Sports

Partisanship is a factor in views of gun control laws.

The New York Times

Crowd noise is a factor in American football too.

Independent

"Race is a factor in everything," he replied, moving swiftly to the next question.

The New York Times

Context is a factor in deciding when to enforce the site's terms of use, he said.

The New York Times

Race is a factor in the courts whether we acknowledge it or not.

The Guardian - Opinion

This caused them to relocate and is a factor in Di María considering his future.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is a factor in" to clearly indicate that something contributes to a particular outcome without necessarily being the sole cause. For instance, "Regular exercise is a factor in maintaining good health."

Common error

Avoid using "is a factor in" when something is the only cause. This phrase implies that there are other contributing elements. For example, instead of "The broken wire is a factor in the power outage", use "The broken wire caused the power outage".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is a factor in" functions as a predicative expression, linking a subject to a characteristic or condition that contributes to a particular outcome. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its role in indicating influence or contribution.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is a factor in" is a versatile phrase used to indicate that something contributes to a particular result or situation. According to Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and frequently used across various contexts, especially in news and media. When writing, remember that using "is a factor in" implies that there are other contributing elements, so avoid using it when describing the sole cause of something. Alternatives such as "contributes to" or "plays a role in" can be used to express similar meanings. The phrase maintains a neutral register, making it appropriate for both formal and informal writing. Considering the high frequency and broad applicability, mastering the use of "is a factor in" enhances clarity and precision in written communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

contributes to

Emphasizes the act of contributing or adding to a result or situation.

plays a role in

Highlights the involvement or part something has in an event or process.

is influential in

Focuses on the power or impact something has on an outcome.

is instrumental in

Indicates that something is crucial or essential for achieving a particular result.

has a hand in

Suggests involvement or agency in something, often implying a degree of control.

affects

A more direct way of saying something has an influence on something else.

impacts

Similar to 'affects' but often suggests a more significant or measurable effect.

is partly responsible for

Indicates shared responsibility or causation in bringing about a result.

is implicated in

Suggests involvement, often in a negative or problematic context.

figures into

Implies that something is taken into account or considered when making a calculation or judgment.

FAQs

How can I use "is a factor in" in a sentence?

Use "is a factor in" to indicate that something contributes to a particular outcome or situation. For example, "Lack of sleep "is a factor in" poor performance".

What are some alternatives to "is a factor in"?

You can use phrases like "contributes to", "plays a role in", or "is influential in" as alternatives to "is a factor in", depending on the context.

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

No, "is a factor of" has a different meaning, usually related to mathematical factors. "Is a factor in" is used to indicate contribution or influence.

What's the difference between "is a factor in" and "is the main factor in"?

"Is a factor in" suggests that something is one of several contributing elements, while "is the main factor in" indicates that something is the most important or significant contributing element.