attribute it to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "attribute it to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to assign a cause, source, or reason to something, often in the context of explaining the origin of an idea, action, or result. Example: "Many researchers attribute it to the lack of funding for the project, which hindered its progress."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Historians consider the story unlikely, and attribute it to a misunderstanding by its reporter.

Wikipedia

Better yet, attribute it to your wife.

The New York Times

They attribute it to a cabinet official.

The Guardian

"I attribute it to the Irish.

The New Yorker

"That's all you can attribute it to.

The New York Times - Sports

I attribute it to one person who should be fired".

The Guardian

Was it a misperception to attribute it to Adam Smith?

The Guardian - Opinion

They don't necessarily attribute it to their spirituality.

The New Yorker

I attribute it to a very welcoming spirit.

The New York Times

I actually attribute it to a couple things.

The New Yorker

I don't know what else to attribute it to.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "attribute it to" when you want to formally assign a cause, origin, or characteristic to something. Ensure the connection is logical and supported by evidence.

Common error

While "attribute it to" is useful, avoid overusing it in your writing. Vary your language with synonyms like "ascribe," "credit," or "explain" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "attribute it to" functions as a verb phrase used to assign a cause, reason, or characteristic to something. As Ludwig AI shows, it appears in various contexts, indicating a specific cause or explanation for a particular event or phenomenon.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

34%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "attribute it to" is a versatile and commonly used verb phrase for assigning a cause or reason to something. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used across various contexts, including news, science, and business. The most frequent contexts include News & Media and Science with authoritative sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian frequently employing it. While synonyms like "ascribe it to" or "credit it to" exist, "attribute it to" remains a direct and clear way to link an event or characteristic to its perceived cause.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ascribe it to

Formal alternative with a similar meaning, emphasizing assignment of cause or origin.

impute it to

Formal and sometimes suggests assigning something undesirable.

explain it by

Focuses on providing an explanation or rationale.

credit it to

Suggests giving recognition or acknowledgement for something.

put it down to

Informal alternative, suggesting an explanation or reason.

trace it to

Implies discovering the origin or source of something.

blame it on

Implies assigning responsibility for a negative outcome.

deduce it from

Suggests inferring or concluding based on evidence.

associate it with

Indicates a common connection or relationship.

connect it with

Highlights a link or association between two things.

FAQs

How can I use "attribute it to" in a sentence?

You can use "attribute it to" when you want to explain the reason or cause of something. For example: "Many experts "attribute it to" climate change."

What is a formal synonym for "attribute it to"?

A more formal synonym for "attribute it to" is "ascribe it to". Both phrases indicate assigning a cause or characteristic to something.

Is it correct to say "I attribute it to"?

Yes, it is correct to say "I attribute it to". It's commonly used to express your personal belief about the cause or reason for something.

What's the difference between "attribute it to" and "blame it on"?

"Attribute it to" generally implies a neutral assignment of cause, while "blame it on" suggests assigning responsibility for something negative.