Why does the phrase, may have played a factor, sound wrong to my ear? I would say: "played a role" or "may have been a factor." I find nothing on the internets to indicate that "played a factor" is problematic, and Googling the phrase returns a couple of million hits. But it still sounds wrong to me. Am I the only one?
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Saturday, March 16, 2013
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nope. "Played a role" and "had been a factor" sound correct to me.
Posted by: NMissC | Saturday, March 16, 2013 at 06:09 PM
Yeah, I think it is a mangling of the other two expressions you mentioned. But to be honest, it is one that didn't "offend" my ear until you pointed it out.
Posted by: lancifer666 | Saturday, March 16, 2013 at 09:37 PM
I think you're safe now, Lance. And it was a second floor unit with a little balcony over looking one of the small lakes.
Posted by: Dr X | Sunday, March 17, 2013 at 09:23 PM
That the phrase seems to be out of police reports, fims about crime, may have played a factor.
Posted by: freddie | Monday, March 18, 2013 at 03:05 AM