attributable to multiple causes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "attributable to multiple causes" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a situation, event, or outcome that results from various factors or reasons. Example: "The decline in bee populations is attributable to multiple causes, including pesticide use, habitat loss, and climate change."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

This is likely attributable to multiple causes including biological changes with ageing, coexisting chronic disease and concurrent medications.

BMC Geriatrics

Thus, an estimate of the burden of cancer attributable to multiple causes should take into account the overlap between the effects of different carcinogens, which means that, for a specific cancer, the attributable fraction for all risk factors combined will be less than the sum of the PAFs associated with each risk factor.

British Journal of Cancer

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

It is manifested by compromised ventricular contraction and prolonged relaxation attributable to multiple causative factors including oxidative stress.

Free Radical Biology and Medicine

Previous literature suggests that disaster resilience can be attributable to multiple factors, including leadership.

International Journal of Disaster Risk Science

Previous literature and studies suggest that the disaster resilience of a city can be attributable to multiple factors, including leadership.

International Journal of Disaster Risk Science

This is potentially attributable to multiple factors.

Environmental Health: A Global Access Science Source

A growing number of studies describe eye complications attributable to multiple factors in COPD patients [ 25].

BioMed Research International

Lastly, the male TG mice have some sexual behavior dysfunctions that could be attributable to moderate disease progression of RA but the low scores for induced erection tests suggest that the sexual behavior phenotypes may be due to multiple causes.

BMC Physiology

"Any time you try to say that death is attributable to a single cause, there's a problem — all deaths are attributable to many causes.

The New York Times - Health

Whether he took his own life or whether his death is attributable to other causes may never be known.

The Guardian

It concluded that the 31 deaths were attributable to known causes.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "attributable to multiple causes", ensure that the context clearly identifies or suggests the multiple causes involved. Avoid vagueness by providing specific examples or categories of causes.

Common error

Avoid presenting a situation as definitively "attributable to multiple causes" if the causes are speculative or not well-supported by evidence. Use qualifiers like "potentially" or "likely" when uncertainty exists.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "attributable to multiple causes" functions as a causal connector. It links an effect or outcome to its various underlying reasons. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a valid and usable expression.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "attributable to multiple causes" serves as a causal connector used to indicate that an event, situation, or outcome is the result of various factors, not just a single one. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and can be used in written English. While it may be less common than simpler alternatives, it adds a layer of precision, especially in scientific, formal, and news contexts. Using this phrase implies a degree of complexity and acknowledges that there's no single, simple explanation for the matter at hand. Ensure clear context and, if possible, specify the causes involved to avoid vagueness in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

due to various factors

Replaces "attributable to" with "due to" and "multiple causes" with "various factors", creating a more general phrasing.

resulting from several reasons

Substitutes "attributable to" with "resulting from" and emphasizes the reasons behind the effect.

stemming from diverse origins

Uses a more metaphorical approach, highlighting the varied origins of the causes.

a consequence of numerous factors

Focuses on the outcome as a "consequence" and specifies "numerous factors".

arising from a multitude of reasons

Emphasizes the emergence or arising of the situation from many reasons.

owing to a range of causes

Uses "owing to" as a more formal alternative to "due to", maintaining a similar structure.

linked to a variety of influences

Highlights the "influences" and their "variety", shifting focus slightly from direct causation.

ascribable to different sources

Replaces "attributable" with "ascribable", offering a synonym with a slightly more formal tone.

traceable to several elements

Suggests a tracing back to the origins and replaces causes with elements.

deriving from varied circumstances

Focuses on the circumstances as the source, implying a more indirect causal relationship.

FAQs

How can I use "attributable to multiple causes" in a sentence?

You can use "attributable to multiple causes" to explain why something has happened or exists. For example, "The decline in sales is attributable to multiple causes, including increased competition and a shift in consumer preferences."

What are some alternatives to "attributable to multiple causes"?

Some alternatives include "due to various factors", "resulting from several reasons", or "stemming from diverse origins".

Is it correct to say something is "attributable to multiple causes"?

Yes, it's grammatically correct and commonly used in formal writing to indicate that an event or situation results from several contributing factors.

When should I use "attributable to multiple causes" instead of "attributable to a single cause"?

Use "attributable to multiple causes" when it's clear that more than one factor is responsible for the outcome. If a single factor is primarily responsible, use "attributable to a single cause".