key contributing factor

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "key contributing factor" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an important element that plays a significant role in a particular outcome or situation. Example: "The key contributing factor to the project's success was the team's collaboration and communication."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

A key contributing factor to early onset childhood is socialization to the eating and mealtime environment.

Journal of Pediatric Health Care

A key contributing factor to the decline in revenues for small players may be the industry-wide transition to the upgraded 802.11ac standard access points, with 802.11n expected to be obsolete by the end of 2018.

Forbes

One key contributing factor is the fact that such an assessment only becomes practically feasible if access to a database that can be used as 'gold standard' is available.

Journal of Cheminformatics

Like previous assessments, the academy's report cites as a key contributing factor to the disaster the "failure of the plant owner [Tokyo Electric Power Co.] and the principal regulator [the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency] to protect critical safety equipment at the plant from flooding in spite of mounting evidence that the plant's current design basis for tsunamis was inadequate".

Science Magazine

The transmembrane span of HER2 has long been implicated as a key contributing factor to self-association and activation control.

Breast Cancer Research

A key contributing factor in delayed apoptosis seems to be the granulocyte/macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) [ 29- 31].

BMC Veterinary Research

A key contributing factor behind this has been sustained support from UNICEF and The European Commission since 2005 to strengthen the national health promotion capacity.

Unicef

A relationship between RA and abnormalities in the lipid profile has been observed for several decades [ 48], with the key contributing factor thought to be inflammation [ 49].

Arthritis Research and Therapy

Glutamate-related excitotoxicity has been implicated as a key contributing factor in different neurodegenerative disorders of the brain (see [ 9] for a review) including glaucomatous retinal ganglion cell (RGC) loss or in retinal ischemia [ 10, 11].

Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Key contributing factors differed between providers and patients.

Duke University

This review summarizes the background, key definitions, contributing factors, impact, prevention, and management of disruptive behavior.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "key contributing factor", ensure it's followed by a clear explanation of how the factor influences the outcome. This adds clarity and strengthens your argument.

Common error

Avoid overuse of "key contributing factor" in a single document. Vary your language by using synonyms like "primary driver" or "significant determinant" to maintain reader engagement and avoid repetition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "key contributing factor" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a significant element or cause contributing to a specific outcome or situation. Ludwig confirms its correct and usable nature in written English, highlighting its role in pinpointing influential aspects.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "key contributing factor" is a widely used and grammatically sound way to emphasize the significance of a particular element in influencing an outcome. Ludwig's analysis indicates that it functions as a noun phrase and is most frequently found in science, news media, and formal business contexts. To avoid redundancy, consider using synonyms like "primary driver" or "significant determinant". When writing, ensure that the factor's influence is clearly explained to enhance understanding. The high expert rating reflects its consistent and authoritative use across various domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

major contributing element

Replaces "factor" with "element", emphasizing the constituent aspect.

principal factor

Highlights the factor's prominence and importance.

critical element

Emphasizes the factor's indispensable role.

primary driver

Shifts the focus to causation, highlighting what propels the outcome.

significant determinant

Emphasizes the influential role in deciding the outcome.

crucial component

Highlights the essential nature of the factor within a larger system.

vital influence

Focuses on the impact and importance of the factor.

leading cause

Specifically points to the reason something happens.

main reason

Simplifies the phrase to its most basic meaning.

central aspect

Identifies the factor as a core element of the situation.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "key contributing factor" in a sentence?

To effectively use "key contributing factor", clearly state the factor and its impact. For example, "A "major influence" in the company's growth was its innovative marketing strategy".

What are some alternatives to "key contributing factor"?

You can use alternatives like "primary driver", "significant determinant", or "crucial component" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "key contributing factor"?

While "contributing factor" alone implies significance, adding "key" emphasizes the factor's importance even further. However, ensure that this emphasis is necessary for your specific context.

What's the difference between "key contributing factor" and "contributing factor"?

The term "key contributing factor" places greater emphasis on the importance of that specific factor compared to a general "contributing factor". The "key" highlights that the factor is particularly vital.