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What does “factor” mean?
a factor (in sth)
/ˈfæktə/
＝ one of the things that causes or influences a result
A must-have word when you analyse causes in DSE and university essays. Use “in”: a factor in success, not a factor of success.
In plain English
A result usually has more than one cause. Each thing that helps produce the result is a factor.
For example, good exam results might have several factors: revision time, sleep, teachers, mood. The most important one is the key factor.
In maths, a factor is a number that divides into another: 2 and 3 are factors of 6. This is one of the few places you use “factor of”.
5 meanings of factor
- a factor in somethingone of the things that influences a resultAcademic writing
Family support is a key factor in students’ well-being.
- factors that affect somethingthe different things that have an effect on somethingCommon
This report examines the factors that affect students’ choice of university.
- a contributing factorone of several causes that together lead to a resultResearch
Long working hours are a contributing factor to stress.
- factor something into include something when you plan or calculateEveryday
Remember to factor in travelling time when you plan your day.
- a factor in maths(in maths) a number that divides exactly into another numberGeneral
4 is a factor of 12.
Sentence patterns
| Pattern | Example |
|---|---|
| a key / major / important factor in sth | Price is a major factor in where students choose to study. |
| one factor that… | One factor that explains the drop is the rise of online shopping. |
| a range of / several factors | Housing prices depend on a range of factors, such as interest rates and land supply. |
| a contributing factor to sth | Lack of sleep is a contributing factor to poor concentration. |
| factor in sth / factor sth in | The budget did not factor in printing costs. |
Real-life examples
📝 Planning a DSE Citizenship and Social Development essay
Teacher: Your essay lists five factors but does not rank them. Which one is the most important?
Chun Ho: Housing, I think. I will make it the first paragraph.
🔬 Designing a biology experiment
Lab partner: Light and temperature are both factors. We should only change one at a time.
Bella: Right, otherwise it is not a fair test.
💻 The conclusion of a group report
Our findings show that cost was the single most important factor in students’ choice of phone plan.
Common mistakes
✗ Hard work is an important factor of success.
✓ Hard work is an important factor in success.
For “the factor behind something”, use “a factor in something”. “Factor of” is only for maths (4 is a factor of 12).
✗ There are many factors affect the result.
✓ There are many factors that affect the result.
A sentence cannot have two main verbs. Add “that”, or write “Many factors affect the result.”
✗ The main factor is because of the high rent.
✓ The main factor is the high rent.
“Factor” is a noun, so follow it with a noun. “Is because of” is a common wordy mistake in essays.
✗ We need to factor the weather.
✓ We need to factor in the weather.
To mean “include in your plan”, you need the phrasal verb “factor in”.
Before and after ✨
An essay paragraph analysing causes, rewritten with Dictionify’s Polish: removed words are crossed out and new words are highlighted.
There are many factor cause the low birth rate in Hong Kong. The first factor is because of the high living cost. The second factor of the low birth rate is the long working hour.
There are many factor cause the Several factors contribute to Hong Kong’s low birth rate in Hong Kong. The first rate. One key factor is because of the high living cost. The second factor cost of the low birth rate is the long living, especially housing. Long working hour. hours are another important factor, as many young couples have little time to raise children.
- many factor cause → Several factors contribute to: make “factors” plural, and one verb, “contribute to”, is enough.
- The first factor is because of → One key factor is: drop “because of”. You do not always need first and second; “One key factor… another important factor” reads more naturally.
- factor of the low birth rate: “factor” does not take “of”, and you do not need to repeat the topic in every sentence. Add a sentence that links the factor to the result.
Similar and opposite phrases
| Phrase | Meaning | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| cause | the thing that makes something happen | A cause directly produces a result; a factor is just one influence, so it sounds more careful. |
| reason | why something happens | More everyday, often “the reason why…”. “Factor” is more academic and suits discussing several causes. |
| element | one part of a whole | A part of something, not necessarily something that affects a result. |
| determinant | something that decides a result | Very formal. A factor that decides the outcome, common in social science papers. |
Opposite: result / outcome (what happens in the end); side issue (something that is not central to the issue)
Quick quiz
Pick an answer to check it straight away.
Which sentence is correct?
Answer: B. The normal pattern is “a factor in something”. “Factor of” is for maths.
Which sentence works best as the topic sentence of an essay paragraph?
Answer: A. “One factor that…” is a clear, correct topic sentence pattern that names the factor directly.
“When you plan your revision, ______ time for rest.” What fits best?
Answer: C. The phrasal verb “factor in” means to include something in your plan.
FAQ
“Factor” vs “cause”: which should I use in an essay?
A cause directly produces a result; a factor is one influence among several. Social issues usually have several linked causes, so “factor” is more accurate and careful: “Several factors contribute to…”. Use “cause” only when you are sure it is the direct cause.
How can I use “factor” to organise an essay?
Give each factor a paragraph. Start with “One key factor is…” or “Another factor that…”, add evidence and explanation, then compare them at the end: “Of these factors, housing is the most significant.”
Can I use “a factor for” instead of “a factor in”?
Usually say “a factor in something”. In health writing you will see “a risk factor for something”, e.g. “Smoking is a risk factor for heart disease.” So “risk factor” takes “for”; most other uses take “in”.
Is the maths “factor” related to the essay “factor”?
Yes. In maths, factors multiply to make a result (2 × 3 = 6). In an essay, several factors combine to produce a result. Both mean “a part that makes up the result”.
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