main contributing factor

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "main contributing factor" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to identify the primary reason or element that plays a significant role in a particular outcome or situation. Example: "The main contributing factor to the project's success was the team's dedication and hard work."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The accumulation of somatic ADN alterations is considered as the main contributing factor in carcinogenesis.

Annales de Pathologie

While the reasons for this are far from black and white, close analysis suggests that a lack of physical activity could be the main contributing factor.

The Guardian

Falling inflation was the main contributing factor with the Kantar Worldpanel measure now standing at 1.9% – the lowest since July 2010.

The Guardian - Business

Although Tb.Th variation is the main contributing factor for differences in BV/TV in humans, Tb.N variation is the main contributing factor for differences in BV/TV in rodents.

Journal of Structural Biology

Treatment-induced weight gain has been suggested to be the main contributing factor of diminished insulin sensitivity.

Psychoneuroendocrinology

A main contributing factor to these unanswered questions is unavailability of chemical compositions and their contents in the formulae.

Journal of Chromatography A

The increasing prevalence of multidrug-resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis is the main contributing factor in unfavorable outcomes in the treatment of tuberculosis.

Drug Discovery Today

Although hydrophobic interaction is the main contributing factor to the stability of the protein fold, the specificity of the folding process depends on many directional interactions.

Progress in Biophysics and Molecular Biology

It is concluded that, whilst porosity in coatings produces some decrease in corrosion resistance, the main contributing factor is the galvanic corrosion of localised Cr-depleted regions which are associated with oxide inclusions within HVOF sprayed samples.

Surface and Coatings Technology

Furthermore, finite-difference time-domain simulation results based on actual device structures with inhomogeneous AL models indicate that enhanced light harvesting is a main contributing factor to efficiency improvement.

Organic Electronics

"So that wasn't in any way the main contributing factor.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "main contributing factor", ensure that you can substantiate its primary role with evidence or data. Avoid using it speculatively.

Common error

Avoid presenting the "main contributing factor" as the only factor. Acknowledge other influences, even if they are secondary.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "main contributing factor" functions as a noun phrase that identifies the most significant element influencing a particular outcome or situation. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for use in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

53%

News & Media

29%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "main contributing factor" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to indicate the most significant cause or influence in a particular situation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It is prevalent in scientific, news, and business contexts, denoting its suitability for formal communication. While effective, remember to provide supporting evidence and acknowledge other contributing elements to avoid oversimplification. Consider using alternative phrases such as "primary cause" or "key element" for stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

primary contributing factor

Replaces "main" with "primary", emphasizing the factor's superior importance.

major contributing factor

Substitutes "main" with "major", indicating a factor of considerable significance.

principal contributing factor

Replaces "main" with "principal", suggesting that the factor is the foremost or leading one.

key contributing factor

Uses "key" instead of "main", highlighting the factor's essential or crucial role.

most significant factor

Emphasizes the factor's importance relative to others.

leading cause

Focuses on causality, positioning the factor as the most prominent cause.

chief cause

Indicates the factor is the principal cause, often implying a direct relationship.

primary driver

Emphasizes the factor's role in propelling or driving a particular outcome.

central element

Highlights the factor as an indispensable part of a larger system or event.

underlying reason

Focuses on the fundamental reason behind a phenomenon.

FAQs

How can I use "main contributing factor" in a sentence?

The phrase "main contributing factor" is used to highlight the most important element that leads to a particular result. For example, "The "lack of funding" was the main contributing factor to the project's failure."

What are some alternatives to "main contributing factor"?

You can use alternatives like "primary cause", "leading reason", or "key element" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "a main contributing factor" or "the main contributing factor"?

Both are grammatically correct. "A main contributing factor" suggests that it is one of several important factors, while "the main contributing factor" indicates that it is the most important factor among all others.

What's the difference between "main contributing factor" and "significant factor"?

"Main contributing factor" emphasizes that the factor plays the largest role, while "significant factor" simply suggests that the factor is important, but not necessarily the most important.