1
general::
factor
ADJECTIVES/NOUN + factor
an important factor
• Human influence has been an important factor as regards climate change.
a major/minor factor
(= the most or least important of several factors )
• The country’s huge mineral reserves are a major factor behind its economic strength.
a key/crucial factor
(= a very important factor )
• A key factor in a company’s success is knowing its customers.
the deciding factor
(= the reason for making a particular choice )
• The closeness of the river was probably the deciding factor when the site was chosen.
the decisive/determining factor
(= the one that has the biggest effect )
• The support of middle-income voters was the decisive factor in the election.
a contributing factor
(= one that helps to make something happen )
• Stress is a contributing factor in many illnesses.
economic factors
• Economic factors limit our options.
environmental factors
• Various environmental factors affect the growth of grapes.
social factors
• Social factors have played their part in the decline in family sizes.
a risk factor
(= something that makes you more likely to have an illness )
• The highest risk factor for coronary heart disease was found to be smoking.
verbs
depend on certain factors
• Success depends on certain factors.
factors influence something
• Various factors influenced the government’s decision.
factors determine something
• The final cost of the product was determined by a combination of factors.
factors are responsible for something
• These underlying factors were responsible for his death.
phrases
a combination/variety/number of factors
• A combination of factors led to the closure of the factory.
take certain factors into account
(= to consider factors when making a decision )
• You should take all these factors into account.
transnet.ir
2
general::
factor sth in
( also factor sth into sth )
to include something when you are doing a calculation, or when you are trying to understand something
• People are earning more, but when inflation is factored in, they are no better off.
• The age of the patients and their overall health must be factored into the results.
Cambridge-Phrasal Verbs
4
general::
noun ADJ. important, main, major, relevant, significant one of the most significant factors | critical, crucial, deciding, decisive, determining, key, vital This is regarded as the crucial factor in deciding who should get priority. Money proved to be the deciding factor. | contributing, contributory Poor organization was certainly a contributory factor to the crisis. | complicating, distorting A complicating factor is her parents' refusal to cooperate with the police. | limiting | mitigating The appeal judges spoke of strong mitigating factors in the case. | aggravating | additional | single The closure of the mine was the single most important factor in the town's decline. | common Look for the common factor in all these cases. | external, extraneous, extrinsic External factors in the production of disease include pollution of the environment. | internal, intrinsic | causal, causative | risk Studies have established that smoking is a risk factor for cancer. | contextual, demographic, economic, environmental, genetic, political, psychological, situational, social VERB + FACTOR consider, take into account A variety of other factors will be taken into account. | depend on FACTOR + VERB be involved, operate the contextual factors which operate to hinder understanding | affect sth, be responsible for sth, contribute to sth, determine sth, influence sth, precipitate sth, predispose sb/sth to sth environmental factors which predispose children to middle-ear infections | constrain sth, inhibit sth, militate against sth one of the factors that influenced his decision | interact looking at how economic and social factors interact | include sth PREP. ~ behind the main factors behind the dollar's weakness | ~ in a key factor in the decision PHRASES a combination/number/range/variety of factors The outcome will depend on a number of factors.
Oxford Collocations Dictionary