are being attributed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are being attributed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the assignment of a cause, quality, or characteristic to someone or something, often in a passive construction. Example: "The recent changes in policy are being attributed to the feedback received from the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Four more deaths are being attributed to the tornadoes and flooding last week in Oklahoma.

The New York Times

He feels terrible that such sentiments are being attributed to him and apologises to anyone who might have been hurt by them".

The Guardian

"However, to a large extent some of the normal things that occur with aging are being attributed to hormonal changes in women, whereas the same symptoms in men are not".

The New York Times - Style

The New Democrats' gains are being attributed to Layton's strong performance in the debates, a folksy, upbeat message and a desire by the French-speakers in Quebec, the second most populous province, for a new face after growing weary of the separatist Bloc Quebecois.

The Guardian

It's not yet clear why the reported attacks on the Times and other publications are being attributed to Russia, but CNN tied them to the recent DNC hack.

TechCrunch

This may be true, but the site doesn't seem to be utilizing any algorithms to determine how each keyword is used – some of the "quotes" are paraphrased, while others are being attributed to someone who didn't say them in the first place.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

The attacks were being attributed to Indonesian terrorists, possibly linked to Al Qaeda or other Islamic extremists.

The New York Times

The rise is being attributed largely to the increase in global food prices.

The Guardian

The revival is being attributed to a new, more austere environment.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The reduction is being attributed to deteriorating economies in France and Germany as well as weakened corporate confidence in Italy.

The New York Times

Much of that decline is being attributed to the brutal deals on price enforced by the mighty supermarkets.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are being attributed", ensure the subject clearly indicates what is receiving the attribution. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the sentence.

Common error

Avoid using "are being attributed" when an active voice construction would be more direct and clear. Overuse of passive voice can make your writing sound weak and indirect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are being attributed" functions as a verb phrase in the passive voice. Ludwig AI shows that this construction is used to indicate that something is currently in the process of having a cause, quality, or characteristic assigned to it. It often appears when discussing reasons or explanations for events.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

41%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "are being attributed" is a versatile phrase used to express the ongoing process of assigning causes or characteristics. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and finds frequent use across various contexts, particularly in news, media, and scientific reporting. While it is commonly used, it's important to be mindful of using the active voice for more direct and clear communication, and to ensure the subject receiving the attribution is clearly defined. Understanding the subtle differences between similar phrases like "are ascribed to" or "are credited to" can also help refine your writing for greater precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are ascribed to

Focuses on the act of ascribing or assigning something to a cause or origin.

are credited to

Emphasizes recognition or acknowledgement of someone or something as the cause.

are put down to

Suggests a reasoned explanation or cause for something, often based on observation.

are accounted for by

Highlights that there is an explanation or reason that clarifies why something has happened.

are blamed on

Specifically points to something or someone as being responsible for a negative outcome.

are associated with

Indicates a common connection or relationship between items or events.

are linked to

Highlights a connection or association between two or more things.

are considered to be caused by

Explicitly states that something is thought to be the origin or reason for something else.

are deemed responsible to

Formal and legalistic way of assigning accountability or causation.

are pinned on

Informal way of saying something is assigned responsibility for a negative event.

FAQs

How can I use "are being attributed" in a sentence?

Use "are being attributed" to indicate that certain causes, qualities, or characteristics are being assigned to something. For example, "The delays "are being attributed" to unforeseen circumstances."

What's a more concise way to say "are being attributed"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "are credited to", "are linked to", or "are ascribed to" for a shorter alternative.

Is it better to use "are being attributed" or an active voice construction?

While "are being attributed" is grammatically correct, consider using an active voice construction if it makes your writing more direct and clear. For example, instead of "The success "are being attributed" to her efforts", you could say "People attribute the success to her efforts."

What is the difference between "are being attributed" and "is attributed"?

"Are being attributed" implies an ongoing process of assigning causes or characteristics, while "is attributed" suggests a completed action or a generally accepted attribution. For example, "The increase in sales "is attributed" to the new marketing campaign" suggests a well-established link, whereas "The causes "are being attributed"" suggests a investigation that is ongoing.