attributable to several causes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "attributable to several causes" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the reasons or factors that contribute to a particular outcome or situation. Example: "The decline in sales was attributable to several causes, including increased competition and changes in consumer preferences."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

He demonstrates the complexities of this field, with delays in data availability attributable to several causes, including those inherent in the nature of the patent law under which patent offices operate.

World Patent Information

After detailed analysis by a neurologist and nephrologist, patients were classified as neurological disturbances with AKI (NWH, neurological status attributable to several causes, including AKI) or neurological disturbances due to AKI (NDA, no other explanation for the neurological status than AKI).

Intensive Care Medicine Experimental

The difference between the RMR and USMR is attributable to several causes, including deterministic factors and random variation.

Cancer Causes and Control

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

112, substituted "averaging" for "attributable to several taxable years" in item for part I.

Cornell University

I think this can be attributable to several factors.

Los Angeles Times

These may be attributable to several reasons.

Plosone

These seemingly contradictory findings may be attributable to several factors.

Plosone

This may be attributable to several of the smaller Asian studies reporting very large effect estimates.

Plosone

This is attributable to several factors.

Core Evidence

Poor reliability may be attributable to several factors.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

These differences could be attributable to several factors.

Diabetes Care

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "attributable to several causes", ensure the context clearly outlines or implies what those causes are, even if they aren't explicitly listed. This provides a more complete understanding for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "attributable to several causes" without providing any indication of what those causes might be. This can leave the reader feeling uninformed and the statement lacking substance. Provide specific examples or categories of causes to enhance clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "attributable to several causes" functions as a causal connector, linking an effect to its multiple contributing factors. As Ludwig AI explains, this phrase indicates that a particular outcome or situation is the result of various reasons.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

20%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "attributable to several causes" serves as a connector, linking outcomes to their many contributing factors. Grammatically sound and primarily found in scientific, news, and academic contexts, according to Ludwig AI, this expression explains situations arising from a combination of factors rather than just one. When using this phrase, clarity is key: ensure that the context provides hints, if not specific details, about the nature of these 'several causes' to avoid vagueness and enhance understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

due to a number of factors

Changes the wording to emphasize the 'number' of factors rather than the abstract idea of 'causes'.

resulting from multiple reasons

Replaces 'attributable to' with 'resulting from' and 'causes' with 'reasons', providing a more direct causal link.

stemming from various origins

Emphasizes the 'origins' of the causes, suggesting a deeper or more complex set of roots.

arising from diverse sources

Highlights the 'diversity' of the sources, implying a wide range of influences.

ascribable to numerous elements

Uses 'ascribable' as a more formal synonym for 'attributable' and 'elements' instead of 'causes'.

linked to a variety of factors

Shifts the focus to the 'link' between the factors and the outcome, rather than direct causation.

connected to several contributing factors

Highlights the 'contributing' nature of the factors, implying they work together.

explained by a range of reasons

Suggests the reasons 'explain' the outcome, offering insight or understanding.

accounted for by multiple influences

Uses 'accounted for' to indicate that the influences explain or justify the outcome.

traceable to differing conditions

Implies that the causes can be 'traced' back to specific conditions, emphasizing a clear connection.

FAQs

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

You can use "attributable to several causes" to explain why something happened, indicating that there were multiple contributing factors. For example, "The project's delay was attributable to several causes, including unforeseen technical difficulties and resource constraints."

What's a less formal way to say "attributable to several causes"?

Less formal alternatives include "due to several factors" or "because of many reasons". These options are more conversational while still conveying the same meaning.

Is it better to list the causes instead of saying "attributable to several causes"?

Listing the specific causes is often more informative, but "attributable to several causes" can be useful when you want to acknowledge multiple factors without detailing each one, or when the specific causes are not fully known.

What's the difference between "attributable to several causes" and "due to one cause"?

"Attributable to several causes" indicates that multiple factors contributed to an outcome, while "due to one cause" suggests a single, primary factor was responsible. The choice depends on whether the outcome resulted from multiple influences or a single dominant factor.