attribute to

USAGE SUMMARY

"attribute to" is correct and can be used in written English.
This phrase is typically used when assigning an attribute or action to someone or something. For example: "The success of this project can be attributed to the hard work of the team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We certainly don't attribute to it the significance others attribute to it automatically.

The New York Times

"All I ain't, I attribute to myself".

The New York Times

But next came the part she would attribute to luck.

The New York Times - Sports

It's not a bad attribute to have at 12".

The Guardian - Sport

Firstly to attribute to quotes to Lord Sugar.

The Guardian

Different people would attribute to those terms very different meanings.

The New York Times

The ball has rolled from one attribute to another.

The Economist

"Some of those misses are things you can attribute to pressure, and you can attribute to just getting used to kicking in the N.F.L.

The New York Times - Sports

Benin and Cameroon have both reported rises in piracy attacks, which experts attribute to Nigerian pirates.

The Guardian

Some of these qualities he came to attribute to the Jewish half of his ancestry.

The Guardian - Books

Friends also attribute to Mr. Durham a kind of asceticism, which they connect to his Catholicism.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "attribute to" when you want to specify the reason behind something.

Common error

Avoid attributing outcomes to factors that are merely correlated, not causally related. Always verify that there's a genuine causal link before using "attribute to".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "attribute to" functions as a verb phrase used to assign a cause, quality, or characteristic to something. It indicates a relationship where one thing is seen as the origin or reason for another. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

45%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "attribute to" is a versatile verb phrase that is grammatically correct and very commonly used to assign cause or quality. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase appears in diverse contexts, from news and media to scientific publications. When using "attribute to", ensure that the relationship between the subject and the attributed cause is clear and logically supported. Related phrases, such as "ascribe to" and "credit to", offer alternative ways to express attribution, each with subtle differences in meaning and formality. Remember to avoid misattributing cause and effect, and always verify causal links. With these guidelines, you can confidently and accurately use "attribute to" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ascribe to

Ascribe emphasizes the act of assigning something as a quality or characteristic. It is more formal than "attribute to".

credit to

Credit implies giving recognition or acknowledgement for something, often a positive outcome.

impute to

Impute suggests assigning something, often a fault or blame, to someone or something.

assign to

Assign is a more general term for allocating or attributing something.

chalk up to

Chalk up to is an informal way of attributing something, often a result, to a particular cause.

put down to

Put down to is a colloquial expression, common in British English, used to explain a cause or reason.

refer to

Refer is a more general term, indicating a connection or relationship without necessarily implying causation.

connect with

Connect with suggests a link or association, without explicitly assigning causality.

link to

Link suggests a connection, often used to indicate a relationship between two things.

associate with

Associate suggests a mental connection, without necessarily implying causality or direct attribution.

FAQs

How do I use "attribute to" in a sentence?

Use "attribute to" to assign a quality, characteristic, or cause to something. For example, "The company's success can be "credited to" its innovative marketing strategies."

What are some alternatives to "attribute to"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "ascribe to", "credit to", or "impute to".

Is it correct to say "The success is attributed to" or "The success is attribute to"?

The correct form is "The success is "attributed to"". "Attributed" is the past participle of the verb "attribute" and is required in this passive construction.

What's the difference between "attribute to" and "contribute to"?

"Attribute to" assigns a cause or quality, while "contribute to" implies playing a part in bringing about a result. You attribute a reason, but you contribute effort or resources.