attributed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "attributed" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is regarded as being caused by or belonging to a particular source or person. Example: "The success of the project was attributed to the hard work and dedication of the entire team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

About a third of these blockages were attributed to lack of social care services.

The Guardian

If the contents of the containers seems too good to be true – the US version featured a "gimp" in a cage, a Breaking Bad-style meth lab, a voodoo death ritual den and an (empty) coffin – then it can presumably be attributed to the "magic" of television.

The Guardian

In similar work in Rwanda, the Bank attributed 45% of Rwanda's rapid poverty reduction in a relatively short period of time to growth of the agriculture sector and associated industries and services.

The Guardian

"In order to uproot the systemic embedded abuse that has allowed for the creation of such 'black sites' like that of Homan Square as well as police torturers like that of Jon Burge, transparent and persistent investigation is the first step of many," a statement attributed to the group read.

The Guardian

The Hollywood film U-571 (2000), in which the Royal Navy's capture of an Enigma machine during the second world war is falsely attributed to an American crew (including chief engineer Jon Bon Jovi), was denounced in parliament by prime minister Tony Blair.

The Guardian - Film

The president of the Liberal Democrats, Sal Brinton, attributed the surge in membership to the "liberal fightback".

The Guardian

The Cambridge-educated software entrepreneur also said that HP had otherwise failed to give more detail as to how it had accounted for the write-off and that HP's filing was "now less clear" on how much of the charge was "being attributed to the alleged accounting issues, and how much to other changes in business performance and earnings projections".

The Guardian - Tech

A benefit often attributed to both solar PV and wind power is that they can lower the wholesale price of electricity, to the benefit of consumers.

The Guardian - Opinion

Similar sentiments were expressed in Toxteth, in Liverpool, where the fact that rioting was more contained – compared with London, Birmingham and Manchester – was partly attributed to community cohesion and an outreach drive by youth workers who toured the streets, dissuading people from getting involved.

The Guardian

Nnamdi Obasi, senior Nigeria researcher at the International Crisis Group, attributed the sense of urgency to the prospect of defeat by Buhari.

The Guardian

It attributed their lack of awareness around domestic violence to, among other factors, "a lack of experience in constructing healthy relationships".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "attributed", ensure that the subject to which the attribute is being assigned is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using incorrect prepositions after "attributed". The correct preposition is usually "to", as in "The success was attributed to hard work." Using prepositions like "with" or "by" can alter the meaning or sound unnatural.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "attributed" is as a past participle or past tense verb. It's used to indicate that a quality, characteristic, or cause is assigned or believed to belong to someone or something. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is correct and common.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "attributed" is a versatile and frequently used past participle/verb indicating assignment or causation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound. Predominantly found in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Scientific contexts, its formality is considered neutral. To ensure clarity, always define the subject and use the correct preposition "to". Consider alternatives such as "credited" or "ascribed" for nuanced meanings. Understanding these aspects allows for effective and precise use of "attributed" in various writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ascribed

Similar meaning, emphasizing the act of assigning something to a cause or origin.

caused by

Directly indicates that something is the reason for another occurrence.

credited to

Focuses on giving recognition or acknowledging the source of something.

resulted from

Emphasizes that something happened as a consequence of another factor.

assigned to

Highlights the act of allocating or designating something to a specific entity.

imputed to

Implies attributing something, often a fault or characteristic, to someone.

blamed on

Specifically refers to attributing fault or responsibility for something negative.

traced to

Focuses on identifying the origin or source of something, often through investigation.

linked to

Highlights a connection or association between two things.

associated with

Similar to linked to, but suggests a less direct or causal relationship.

FAQs

How is "attributed" used in a sentence?

"Attributed" is used to indicate that something is believed to be caused by or associated with someone or something. For example, "The increase in sales was "attributed to" the new marketing campaign".

What are some alternatives to "attributed"?

Alternatives to "attributed" include "credited", "ascribed", "assigned", or "imputed". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Which is correct, "attributed to" or "attributed with"?

"Attributed to" is the correct and more common usage. "Attributed with" is less frequent and may not be appropriate in all contexts. For instance, "The discovery was "attributed to" her research" is preferable.

What's the difference between "attributed" and "credited"?

While both indicate a source or cause, "attributed" is a general term, whereas "credited" often implies acknowledgement or recognition. You might say "The quote is "attributed to" Shakespeare", but "She was "credited with" the invention".