attributable

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'attributable' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the word 'attributable' to refer to something that can be traced back or connected to a particular cause, situation, or person. For example, "The company's financial difficulties were attributable to poor decision-making by the CEO."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In one woman's case, an FFT doctor documented 74 scars, 68 attributable to torture and 56 attributable to a specific incidence of gang rape.

The Guardian

But much of the transformation of the Queen's image, from the chilly, notoriously philistinic matriarch who couldn't care less about Diana to an ever more droll and sympathetic mentor to pitifully grateful prime ministers is surely attributable to Mirren's superb acting, and to the writers who have increasingly depicted the monarch as – so long as you are not Margaret Thatcher – fabulous company.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Lib Dem tribe will almost certainly be traumatised by a night of losses directly attributable to its decision to prop up the Conservative party in 2010.

The Guardian - Opinion

When asked why, he said he had been more concerned about what costs were attributable to Sydney Water rather than why they were increasing.

The Guardian

Meanwhile recent research shows that the number of global deaths attributable to air pollution has grown by 11% over the last two decades.

The Guardian

That they finished the match with their advantage reduced by Sone Aluko's ferocious second-half volley was attributable largely to their apparently having become bored with the ease of their authority and, perhaps, with the intention of conserving energy for the Champions League meeting with Arsenal on Tuesday.

The Guardian - Sport

There are admittedly some aspects of how I run my business that might be attributable to my gender.

The Guardian

The causes, said Martineau, were attributable to the lack of protection for traditional farming methods within Mexican law – as enjoyed abroad by other protected products such as champagne or cognac – as well as the decision by an increasing number of young Mexicans to eschew a life working on the land.

The Guardian

The world's most populous countries, India and China, face 2 million and 1 million deaths a year respectively by 2050 and one in every four deaths in Nigeria by then is forecast to be attributable to AMR.

The Guardian

For example, 314,600 cases were directly attributable to consumption of tobacco.

The Guardian

There is also strong evidence that water quality affects the frequency of COTS outbreaks in the central and southern GBR… The recent frequency and intensity of mass coral bleaching are of major concern, and are directly attributable to rising atmospheric greenhouse gases.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "attributable", ensure the connection between the cause and effect is clear and supported by evidence. Avoid vague or unsubstantiated claims of causality.

Common error

Avoid using "attributable" when the link is merely correlational rather than causal. Instead of saying "The increase in sales is attributable to the new marketing campaign," use a more cautious phrasing like "The increase in sales may be associated with the new marketing campaign" if a direct causal relationship hasn't been firmly established.

Linguistic Context

The word "attributable" functions primarily as an adjective. It describes something that can be linked to a cause or origin. It often implies a direct relationship or connection, indicating that something is capable of being assigned or credited to a particular factor, as affirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Formal & Business

28%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "attributable" is a versatile adjective used to describe something that can be traced back to a specific cause or origin. As Ludwig confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used in various contexts, particularly in news, business, and scientific writing. While synonyms like "ascribable" and "imputable" exist, "attributable" provides a clear and direct way to express causality. However, it's essential to avoid overstating causation and ensure a clear connection between the cause and effect. With a neutral to formal register, "attributable" is best suited for professional and academic contexts, offering a reliable means of explaining the reasons behind events and outcomes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ascribable

Indicates something can be assigned or credited to a cause, similar to attributable, but with a slightly more formal tone.

imputable

Implies that something can be charged or accredited to a person or cause, often suggesting responsibility or blame.

traceable

Focuses on the ability to follow something back to its origin or source, emphasizing the path of connection.

caused by

A more direct and common way to express that something is the result of a specific action or event.

due to

Similar to "caused by", but often used to explain reasons or circumstances rather than direct causes.

resulting from

Emphasizes the outcome or consequence of a particular cause or event.

on account of

A more formal way of saying "because of", indicating the reason for something.

linked to

Suggests a connection or association between two things, but may not always imply direct causation.

credited to

Gives recognition or attributes success or achievement to a particular person or source.

explained by

Indicates that something can be understood or accounted for by a particular factor or reason.

FAQs

How can I use "attributable" in a sentence?

Use "attributable" to indicate that something can be regarded as having been caused by a specified thing or person. For example, "The company's losses were "attributable" to poor management."

What are some alternatives to using "attributable"?

You can use alternatives such as "ascribable", "imputable", "traceable", or "due to" depending on the context.

What is the difference between "attributable" and "attributed"?

"Attributable" means capable of being attributed, while "attributed" means to regard something as being caused by someone or something. For example, a problem might be "attributable" to a specific cause, and that cause is then "attributed" to the problem.

Is it correct to say something is "directly attributable" to another thing?

Yes, "directly attributable" is a correct and commonly used phrase to emphasize a clear and immediate causal relationship. For example, "The damage was directly "attributable" to the storm."