factor in
Verb (transitive): 1. To include as a relevant element in a decision, calculation, or analysis: To take something into account; to consider something as an important part of a situation when making a judgment or plan.
The verb "factor in" is used when you need to incorporate a specific piece of information, a condition, or a variable into your thinking or calculations. It is often followed by the element being considered. - It is commonly used in planning, analysis, budgeting, and decision-making contexts. - The object (the thing being factored in) can be a noun or a noun phrase.
- Financial Planning:
- Travel Planning:
- Project Management:
- "Factor [something] in": The object can sometimes be placed between "factor" and "in," especially with pronouns or short noun phrases.
- The cost is significant, so be sure to factor it in.
- We need to factor inflation in to our long-term projections.
- Factor (verb): To include or consider as part of a broader analysis. (e.g., )
- Take into account: A common synonym phrase.
- Consider: A more general synonym.
- Allow for: A synonym often used for making provisions for potential problems or extra needs.
- Take into account
- Allow for
- Incorporate
- Consider
- Include
- Factor out: To exclude or remove a common element from an analysis or calculation. (Opposite meaning)
- After factoring out seasonal effects, the underlying sales trend is flat.
The reference context mentions "resolve into factors" (like factoring a number in mathematics). This is a separate, technical meaning of the verb "factor" (not the phrasal verb "factor in"). For example: The equation can be simplified by factoring the polynomial. The phrasal verb "factor in" is almost exclusively used in the sense of including something in a decision or analysis.
- resolve into factors
- a quantum computer can factor the number 15
- consider as relevant when making a decision
- You must factor in the recent developments