attributable to various causes

USAGE SUMMARY

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

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Among Richard Doll's citations, the comprehensive review of the proportions of cancer attributable to various causes [ 1] ranks first with 1465 quotations well ahead of 1072 hits for the 1994 article reporting the forty-year follow-up study on smoking and health in the British doctors cohort, a cornerstone of modern epidemiology [ 2].

Environmental Health: A Global Access Science Source

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The causes of sexual dimorphism in trophic morphology in T. cristinae remain unknown but could be attributable to various mechanisms, including fecundity-based sexual size dimorphism, sexual selection, or differential feeding ecology between sexes.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

This is attributable to various types of errors in the Tandem-X DSM.

Carbon Balance and Management

The composite nanofibers have a polycrystalline nature attributable to various diffraction planes of ZnO and SnO2.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Sex-related differences in gene transcription might be attributable to various mechanisms.

Biology of Sex Differences

Differences in results between two studies may be attributable to various factors.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Inconsistent observed findings may be attributable to various sources as aforementioned.

Environmental Health: A Global Access Science Source

The difference between these results and ours may be attributable to various factors.

Critical Care

The advantages of computational inferences are attributable to various biological models that can be used to expand data coverage.

BMC Genomics

Much greater losses per person were attributable to the various causes of headache on ≥15 days/month, including pMOH, although again several medians were zero.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

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

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "attributable to various causes", ensure that the context clearly identifies or implies what those causes are, even if they are not explicitly listed. This provides a more comprehensive understanding for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "attributable to various causes" when a simpler, more direct explanation is sufficient. Overusing this phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex. Instead, opt for phrases like "due to" or "because of" if the cause is relatively straightforward.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "attributable to various causes" functions as a causal connector, linking an outcome to its multiple contributing factors. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through its examples, showcasing its role in explaining complex relationships.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

76%

News & Media

16%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "attributable to various causes" is a phrase used to indicate that an outcome results from multiple contributing factors. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and commonly used across various domains, particularly in scientific, news, and formal business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by either explicitly listing the causes or implying them within the context. While it's a useful phrase for acknowledging complexity, avoid overusing it when a simpler explanation suffices. Alternatives such as "due to several factors" or "caused by multiple reasons" can offer variety in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

due to several factors

Replaces "attributable" with "due", emphasizing the result of multiple influences.

caused by multiple reasons

Uses "caused by" instead of "attributable to", highlighting the reasons behind an event.

resulting from diverse factors

Replaces "various" with "diverse", indicating a range of contributing elements.

stemming from a range of reasons

Uses "stemming from" to show the origin of a situation from multiple reasons.

arising from different sources

Indicates that a situation is a consequence of various sources.

linked to multiple origins

Highlights the association with numerous starting points or causes.

ascribable to numerous factors

Uses "ascribable" as a formal synonym of "attributable", emphasizing the large number of factors.

owing to a variety of causes

Uses "owing to" to indicate the reasons behind a particular outcome.

explained by diverse influences

Focuses on how different influences account for or clarify an event.

deriving from assorted reasons

Specifies that assorted reasons are the origin of an event.

FAQs

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

You can use "attributable to various causes" to explain that something is the result of multiple factors. For instance, "The company's losses were "attributable to various causes", including increased competition and a decline in consumer spending."

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

Alternatives include phrases like "due to several factors", "caused by multiple reasons", or "resulting from diverse factors", which convey a similar meaning while offering variety in wording.

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

Listing the causes explicitly provides more clarity and detail. However, if the causes are numerous or complex, "attributable to various causes" can be used as a concise way to acknowledge their combined influence without detailing each one individually.

What's the difference between "attributable to various causes" and "due to a single cause"?

"Attributable to various causes" indicates that multiple factors contributed to an outcome, whereas "due to a single cause" implies that only one factor was responsible. They represent opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of causality.