significant variable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "significant variable" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in statistical or research contexts to refer to a variable that has a meaningful impact on the outcome of a study or analysis. Example: "In our study, we found that the significant variable affecting the results was the level of education among participants."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Temperature remains the most significant variable.

Stanford University

The pH was the most significant variable.

Algal Research

Mayo saw that the significant variable was not physiological but psychological.

Britannica

The activation energy is not a significant variable.

Chemical Engineering Science

The strength of solar resources was not a significant variable.

Utilities Policy

The only significant variable was the inlet temperature of air.

Journal of Food Engineering

The most significant variable was thus found to be pH.

Journal of Hazardous Materials

The significant variable was the task type: adding content to existing categories vs. creating new categories.

Stanford University

"AT&T is a wasting asset, with the only significant variable being the degree to which its reserves are being depleted," said a Deutsche Bank analyst, Viktor Shvets.

The New York Times

One does not have to endorse President Bush's venture to promote marriage to recognize that single parenthood is a significant variable in the poverty equation.

The New York Times - Books

The jockeys are a significant variable, while the owners are usually more interesting for the ways they made their fortunes than for any role with their horses.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing research findings, clearly define what constitutes a "significant variable" in your specific context to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid claiming a variable is "significant" without providing statistical evidence or justification. Always back up claims with data and relevant analysis.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "significant variable" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence. It identifies a variable that is statistically meaningful and relevant in a given context, as demonstrated by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

60%

Academia

15%

News & Media

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "significant variable" is a commonly used term, particularly in scientific and academic writing, to denote a variable with a statistically meaningful impact. As Ludwig highlights, it's essential to clearly define and justify claims of significance with supporting data. While alternatives like "important factor" and "key determinant" exist, the choice depends on the specific context. Remember to avoid overstating significance without evidence and always provide justification for your claims.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

important factor

Replaces 'variable' with 'factor', emphasizing the role of influence.

key determinant

Focuses on the variable's role in determining an outcome.

influential parameter

Substitutes 'variable' with 'parameter', highlighting its role in a model or system.

critical element

Emphasizes the variable's necessity or importance.

relevant consideration

Shifts the focus to the variable as something to be considered.

primary driver

Highlights the variable's role in driving or causing a particular outcome.

major component

Replaces 'variable' with 'component', suggesting the variable is a part of a larger system.

noteworthy aspect

Focuses on the variable being worthy of attention or notice.

impactful factor

Emphasizes the variable's impact or effect.

essential attribute

Highlights the variable's fundamental or necessary quality.

FAQs

How is "significant variable" typically used in a sentence?

The phrase "significant variable" is used to describe a factor that has a notable impact on an outcome or result. For example, "In this study, temperature was identified as a "significant variable" affecting reaction rate."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "significant variable"?

Alternatives to "significant variable" include "important factor", "key determinant", or "influential parameter". The best choice depends on the specific context.

In research, what makes a variable 'significant'?

In research, a "significant variable" typically refers to a variable that has a statistically significant impact on the dependent variable, meaning the observed effect is unlikely to have occurred by chance. This is often determined through statistical tests and p-values.

What's the difference between a "significant variable" and an "independent variable"?

An independent variable is a variable that is manipulated or changed in a study to observe its effect on a dependent variable. A "significant variable" is any variable (independent or otherwise) that demonstrates a statistically significant impact on the outcome being studied.