owing to external factors

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "owing to external factors" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to explain reasons or causes that are beyond one's control, often in formal or academic contexts. Example: "The project was delayed owing to external factors that affected the supply chain."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"Property companies are clearly going to fail the loan-to-value covenants [under which the lender sets a minimum value for the acquisition] and in other sectors covenants linked to the underlying performance of the business will clearly be breached, often owing to external factors".

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Administrator Finbarr O'Connell said 200 jobs were affected and up to £20m was owed to external suppliers.

BBC

Mr O'Connell said 200 jobs were at risk and up to £20m was owed to external suppliers.

BBC

Middlesbrough are now "free from debt owed to external providers" with the financial support of parent group Gibson-O'Neill Gibson-O'Neill Company Limited

BBC

In 1862 Drouyn de Lhuys accepted for the fourth time the ministry of foreign affairs a term filled with disappointments, owing more to external factors than to any bungling on his part.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The plant never had quality problems, he said, but its utility dwindled due to external factors.

The New Yorker

But analysts said that Corus's troubles cannot be ascribed entirely to external factors.

The New York Times

Gradually, researchers accumulated empirical evidence linking changes in alcohol consumption to external factors such as alcohol availability and pricing.

The New Yorker

✓ Attributes personal difficulties as being due to external factors.

Huffington Post

This reaction to external factors, is a variety of artist block.

Huffington Post

Initially, we may attribute our suffering to external factors such as other people or the world.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "owing to external factors", ensure the context clearly identifies what these factors are or at least implies their nature. This provides clarity and strengthens the explanation.

Common error

While "owing to external factors" is appropriate in formal writing, avoid overusing such phrases in informal contexts. This can make your writing sound stilted. Instead, consider using more casual alternatives like "because of" or "due to".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "owing to external factors" functions as a causal connector, linking an outcome or result to external influences or conditions. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to explain reasons or causes that are beyond one's control.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "owing to external factors" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in English, typically employed to indicate that a situation or outcome is caused by influences beyond immediate control. Ludwig AI states it serves as a causal connector. While appropriate for formal and academic contexts, simpler alternatives like "because of" or "due to" may be preferred in informal settings. The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media and Scientific sources. When using this phrase, clarity is key: ensure the external factors are either clearly identified or their nature is implied to provide a robust explanation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

due to outside influences

This alternative focuses on the origin of the factors, emphasizing their external source.

because of external circumstances

This phrase emphasizes the role of circumstances as the cause.

as a result of external elements

This highlights the consequence of external components or forces.

attributable to external conditions

This alternative suggests assigning the cause to specific conditions.

stemming from external pressures

This conveys the idea that the situation originated from outside forces exerting pressure.

consequent to outside considerations

This emphasizes that something is happening as a consequence to exterior conditions that need to be taken into account.

originating from external sources

This is about pinpointing the starting point of the problem or situation.

growing out of external constraints

This is about how something unfolded because of boundaries or limitations from external sources.

arising from external determinants

This alternative emphasizes that the situation comes from external deciding elements.

on account of external variables

This expresses something happened because of outside influencing factors.

FAQs

How can I use "owing to external factors" in a sentence?

You can use "owing to external factors" to explain why something has happened as a result of outside influences. For example, "The project's delay was "owing to external factors", such as supply chain disruptions."

What phrases are similar to "owing to external factors"?

Similar phrases include "due to outside influences", "because of external circumstances", or "as a result of external elements".

Is "owing to external factors" suitable for informal writing?

While grammatically correct, "owing to external factors" is generally more suitable for formal or academic writing. In informal contexts, simpler alternatives like "because of" or "due to" may be more appropriate.

What is the difference between "owing to external factors" and "due to external factors"?

While both phrases convey a similar meaning, "owing to" is often considered slightly more formal than "due to". You can use either phrase depending on the context and desired level of formality.