overriding factor

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "overriding factor" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It means something that is more important or influential than any other factor. Example: While there were many factors that led to her decision, the overriding factor was her desire to pursue her dream career. In this sentence, "overriding factor" is used to convey that the desire to pursue her dream career was the most important and decisive factor in her decision-making process.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Here psychological stability of every separate student acts as the key and overriding factor.

Stanford University

Executives at Facebook stressed the overriding factor right now is not just engagement.

The New York Times - Tech

We found that the trust which is built by effective investor education efforts is overriding factor driving capital flows.

Forbes

But being a woman was the total, overriding factor in the selection-and the precedent was set.

Huffington Post

Excessive Dilution as Negative Overriding Factor.

Harvard University

trump card, according to Webster's, is a decisive overriding factor.

Forbes

Atrump card, according to Webster's, is a decisive overriding factor.

Forbes

However, the overriding factor may be persistence.

Cornell University

"That's the overriding factor for me".

The New York Times

Yet too often it becomes the overriding factor in admissions.

The New York Times

An overriding factor was the British command of the sea.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "overriding factor" to emphasize the single most important consideration in a decision, analysis, or situation.

Common error

A common mistake is to prematurely label a factor as "overriding" without thoroughly analyzing all contributing elements. Ensure that the identified "overriding factor" genuinely outweighs all other considerations before using the phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "overriding factor" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as a subject complement or an object of a preposition. It identifies the single, most significant element among several considerations. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Academia

20%

Science

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "overriding factor" is a commonly used noun phrase to emphasize the most important element in a situation, decision, or analysis. As noted by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct. It's most frequently found in news, academic and scientific contexts and signals that the identified factor outweighs all other considerations. When using the phrase, ensure that the identified element is genuinely the most significant, avoiding premature or inaccurate labeling. Alternatives include "paramount consideration" and "chief determinant", offering similar emphasis with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

paramount consideration

Replaces "factor" with "consideration" and "overriding" with "paramount", emphasizing importance.

chief determinant

Substitutes "overriding factor" with a term that highlights the primary cause or influence.

dominant influence

Replaces "factor" with "influence" and "overriding" with "dominant", focusing on the most powerful impact.

principal element

Uses "element" instead of "factor" and "principal" to signify the main component.

key aspect

Replaces "factor" with "aspect" and "overriding" with "key", indicating a critical element.

decisive element

Changes "factor" to "element" and uses "decisive" to emphasize the finality of the factor.

major component

Substitutes with terms that describe a main constituent or part.

primary driver

Replaces "factor" with "driver" focusing on what propels or causes something.

most important thing

A more direct and simpler alternative, highlighting the supreme significance.

central consideration

Highlights the importance of a central element when thinking about a particular issue.

FAQs

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

Use "overriding factor" to emphasize the most important element influencing a situation. For example, "The "overriding factor" in her decision was the need for better work-life balance."

What are some alternatives to "overriding factor"?

You can use alternatives like "paramount consideration", "chief determinant", or "dominant influence" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "most overriding factor"?

Yes, saying "most overriding factor" is generally redundant. The term "overriding" already implies the highest level of importance. Stick to simply ""overriding factor"".

What's the difference between "overriding factor" and "important factor"?

"Overriding factor" indicates the single most important factor that outweighs all others, while "important factor" simply denotes a significant element among potentially many others.