ascribed them

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ascribed them" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used when attributing a quality, characteristic, or action to someone or something. Example: "The researchers ascribed them to the effects of climate change on local wildlife."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

A spokeswoman for the hotel, describing the precautions, ascribed them to both the bombing and the Hambali arrest.

The New York Times

The study of distribution in Britain has ascribed them to fairly well-defined tribal areas in the south and east; some are crude, but the best illustrate the peak of Celtic art in Britain.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Amid argument among analysts as to what has been behind the stream of "green on blue" attacks, Nato officers on the ground are reported to have ascribed them mainly to disgruntled and embittered Afghan security forces with grudges against their western mentors.

The Guardian

When the rest of the family got together for cocktails in the late afternoon, Fuller might go upstairs to his room to work on one of several articles or books he was writing; he gave up alcohol during the Second World War, he told me, not because he could not handle it but because he had decided that people who did not want to take his ideas seriously often ascribed them to his drinking habits.

The New Yorker

If two or more islands have identical height, we have ascribed them not the same, but successive numbers.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Evidence of the textual nucleus on military machines are in the ninth century Lucca 490 (f. 224r), and in the tenth century Sélestat 17 (ff. 41r 45r), although Halleux and Bernès ascribed them to twelfth century additions ([35], p. 58).

Heritage Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

On what grounds do I ascribe them?

The Guardian - Opinion

No more so than ascribing them to race or economic background, which we happily do without second thought.

The New York Times - Magazine

Armed attacks against government targets are increasing, and Syrians outside the government ascribe them to military defectors.

The New York Times

It is offensive for Mr. Obasanjo to downplay the multiple irregularities of this vote by ascribing them to African cultural traditions.

The New York Times

Without ascribing them greater weight than they can carry, the novels are best considered as an immense saga in which the dilemmas of modern life are played out, but varied with tremendous narrative vigour.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ascribed them", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what is doing the ascribing and what the "them" refers to, to avoid ambiguity. For example: "Historians ascribed them to political motives."

Common error

Avoid using "ascribed them" in overly informal or casual contexts. While grammatically correct, it carries a slightly more formal tone than alternatives like "attributed them" or "put it down to".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ascribed them" functions as a verb phrase, specifically as a transitive verb where "ascribed" takes a direct object ("them"). This indicates an action of attributing or assigning a quality, characteristic, or origin. As Ludwig AI confirms, this structure is grammatically valid.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ascribed them" is a grammatically correct verb phrase used to attribute qualities, characteristics, or origins. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It is mostly found in news, science, and encyclopedic contexts, suggesting a neutral to formal register. While "attributed them" is a common alternative, the specific context should dictate the best choice. Pay attention to the formality level and clearly define what is doing the ascribing to avoid ambiguity. The frequency of this term is uncommon, so more common alternatives may be more appropriate for some contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

attributed them

Replaces "ascribed" with a more common synonym, maintaining the same grammatical structure and meaning.

assigned them

Similar to attributing, but implies a more deliberate or official allocation rather than a reasoned explanation.

credited them to

Focuses on giving recognition or acknowledging the source or cause of something.

imputed them to

Formally suggests attributing something, often a fault or crime, to someone.

put them down to

More informally suggests a cause or reason for something, often used in British English.

blamed them on

Implies assigning responsibility for something negative.

traced them to

Suggests discovering the origin or cause through investigation.

linked them to

Highlights a connection or association between things, not necessarily a direct cause.

regarded them as

Focuses on a considered opinion or view of something's nature or cause.

saw them as

Similar to regarding, indicating a perspective or interpretation of something.

FAQs

How can I use "ascribed them" in a sentence?

You can use "ascribed them" to show that a characteristic, quality, or origin has been assigned to something. For example: "Analysts "ascribed them" mainly to disgruntled Afghan security forces."

What is a synonym for "ascribed them"?

A common synonym for "ascribed them" is "attributed them". Other possible alternatives include "assigned them" or "credited them to", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "ascribed them" formal or informal?

"Ascribed them" is generally considered to be more formal than options like "put them down to". It is suitable for academic, professional, and journalistic writing.

Which is correct, "ascribed them to" or "ascribed them"?

Both phrases can be correct depending on the context. "Ascribed them to" is used when specifying the cause or reason, while "ascribed them" is used when the recipient of the ascribed quality is clear from the context.