major contributing factor

USAGE SUMMARY

"major contributing factor" is correct and usable in written English.
It is generally used to describe something that is a significant cause of a particular event or situation. For example, "Climate change is a major contributing factor to the rising global temperatures."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A major contributing factor is the renal excretion of the majority of these agents.

Insights into Imaging

But he's certainly a major contributing factor.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The 1973 oil crisis is a major contributing factor.

The Washington Post

The use of kerosene stoves are a major contributing factor.

Burns

Replication repair deficiency was a major contributing factor.

Cell

Impaired balance control is a major contributing factor.

Journal of Safety Research

But nowadays, the intake noise is a major contributing factor to automotive passenger compartment noise levels.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

Wind erosion is a major contributing factor to soil degradation and environmental pollution.

Geoderma

These cracks are a major contributing factor to pavement damage, in addition to being a major contributing factor to the formation of reflection cracks.

Construction and Building Materials

The extreme cold weather over the last few weeks was a major contributing factor in the break, Ms. Millner said.

The New York Times

Reckless driving is a major contributing factor to road morbidity and mortality.

Accident Analysis & Prevention

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "major contributing factor", ensure you clearly identify the effect or outcome it contributes to. For example, specify what it is a major contributing factor to.

Common error

Avoid implying that the "major contributing factor" is the only cause. Acknowledge other potential influences for a more balanced and accurate representation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "major contributing factor" functions as a noun phrase that identifies something significant that leads to a particular outcome or situation. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is considered grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "major contributing factor" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that highlights a significant cause or influence. As Ludwig AI confirms, its purpose is to emphasize the importance of a specific element in bringing about a particular result. Predominantly found in scientific, news, and formal business contexts, the phrase is versatile yet retains a neutral to formal tone. While alternatives like ""significant cause"" and ""key factor"" exist, "major contributing factor" explicitly stresses the magnitude of the contribution. Remember to use it judiciously, avoiding overstatements of causation and clearly defining the effect to which it contributes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant cause

Focuses on the causation aspect, omitting the 'contributing' element.

primary driver

Emphasizes the driving force behind an outcome, implying a more active role.

key factor

Highlights the importance without specifying the degree of contribution.

leading cause

Indicates the most significant cause among several possibilities.

major influence

Shifts the focus to the influence exerted rather than direct contribution.

important element

Highlights the importance without directly implying causation.

significant determinant

Focuses on the role of determining a specific outcome.

substantial component

Highlights the importance of the part within the whole.

chief reason

Focuses on the reasoning or justification behind an event.

critical variable

Emphasizes the impact of this aspect on the result

FAQs

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

Use "major contributing factor" to highlight a significant cause or influence. For example, "Lack of sleep is a "major contributing factor" to decreased productivity".

What are some alternatives to "major contributing factor"?

You can use alternatives such as "significant cause", "primary driver", or "key factor" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "major contributing factor"?

While "contributing factor" alone implies influence, adding "major" emphasizes the significance of its impact. It's not inherently redundant if you need to stress importance.

What's the difference between "major contributing factor" and "primary cause"?

"Major contributing factor" suggests one of several important influences, while "primary cause" indicates the single most important reason. Using "leading cause" is also a relevant alternative.