is a key factor in

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is a key factor in" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something plays an important role or is essential in a particular context or situation. Example: "Effective communication is a key factor in building strong relationships."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Forestry is a key factor in northern Manitoba's economy.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Royal Holloway Stress is a key factor in causing bee colonies to fail, research finds.

The Guardian

But Moody's leadership is a key factor in the England squad.

The Guardian - Sport

Mr. Quintana and Mr. James both deny that ethnicity is a key factor in the race.

The New York Times

Hope about the future is a key factor in avoiding mental health problems, the centre believes.

The Guardian

"This is a key factor in Moody's ongoing assessment of debt-burdened euro area sovereigns".

The New York Times

The circulation of the ocean is a key factor in air temperature distribution.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This inertia is a key factor in New York's housing shortage.

The New York Times - Magazine

Researchers found that travel time to larger urban areas is a key factor in a town's economic success.

The Guardian

Sickness caused by poor sanitation is a key factor in the high rates of teacher absenteeism in rural schools.

The Guardian

And far from being an afterthought, protein is a key factor in Wyatt's diet.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is a key factor in", ensure the subject you're describing genuinely holds substantial influence and isn't merely a minor detail. This strengthens your argument and credibility.

Common error

Avoid using "is a key factor in" for elements that are only marginally relevant. Overusing the phrase dilutes its impact and weakens your writing. Be specific about the degree of influence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is a key factor in" functions as a predicate adjective, indicating that the subject is a significant element contributing to a particular result or situation. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its common usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is a key factor in" is a commonly used expression to emphasize the importance of a particular element in contributing to a specific outcome. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and appears frequently across various domains, including science, news, and business. While versatile, it's important to use this phrase judiciously, ensuring the element truly holds significant influence to avoid diluting its impact. Alternatives like "plays a vital role in" or "is a crucial component of" can be used for variety. The frequency and authoritative sources confirm its widespread acceptance and utility in effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is a significant element in

Replaces "key factor" with "significant element", emphasizing importance in a slightly more general way.

is a crucial component of

Substitutes "key factor" with "crucial component", stressing the essential nature of the element.

plays a vital role in

Replaces the entire phrase with a verb-based structure, highlighting the action of influencing.

is instrumental to

Uses a more formal and concise expression to convey essentiality.

is central to

Emphasizes that something is at the heart or core of a particular outcome or situation.

is fundamental to

Highlights the foundational importance of something.

is paramount for

Indicates that something is of utmost importance or significance.

is critical for

Stresses the necessity of something for a desired outcome.

is a major influence on

Shifts the focus to the act of influencing rather than being a static factor.

contributes significantly to

Highlights the contribution aspect, focusing on the action of adding to a result.

FAQs

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

Use "is a key factor in" to highlight something critical or essential for a particular outcome. For example, "Motivation "is a key factor in" achieving success".

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

Alternatives include phrases like "plays a vital role in", "is a crucial component of", or "is instrumental to". Choose the best fit depending on the specific context.

Which is correct: "is a key factor in" or "is an important factor in"?

Both are grammatically correct, but ""is a key factor in"" emphasizes greater significance than "is an important factor in". The choice depends on the degree of importance you want to convey.

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

"Is a key factor in" suggests that it's one of several important factors, while "is the key factor in" implies it is the most important or primary factor above all others.