attributed mainly to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "attributed mainly to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the primary source or cause of something, often in academic or analytical contexts. Example: "The increase in global temperatures is attributed mainly to human activities such as burning fossil fuels."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

These are attributed mainly to heart disease and respiratory disease.

The Guardian

The loss was attributed mainly to write-downs connected to Concert, the failed venture with AT&T.

The New York Times

The increase in opium poppy cultivation is attributed mainly to historically high prices for opium, coupled with insecurity.

The New York Times

However, its 20th place ranking on health and wellness was described as "distinctly average", and attributed mainly to an obesity rate of 25%.

The Guardian

It was the worst five-day start to a year in more than a decade, and it could be attributed mainly to concerns about interest rates and inflation.

The New York Times

The Dow Jones industrial average fell last week for the first time in five weeks, a small decline attributed mainly to the problems of one stock, Coca-Cola.

The New York Times

The observed long period peaks in the response spectra are attributed mainly to directivity effects.

Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering

The improved formability of the APE sheets was attributed mainly to texture weakening.

Materials Science and Engineering: A

Organ weight changes were attributed mainly to the lower body weights of treated vs. control groups.

Experimental and Toxicologic Pathology

Depressing effect of wetting agent and aluminium sulfate on plastic is attributed mainly to the separation.

Separation and Purification Technology

This effect is attributed mainly to text segmentation and only partially to picture labelling.

Learning and Instruction

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "attributed mainly to", ensure that the attributed cause is genuinely the primary factor and not just a contributing element. Support your attribution with evidence or data.

Common error

Avoid using "attributed mainly to" when multiple factors contribute significantly. Overstating the primary cause can lead to misinterpretations and inaccuracies. Use less definitive language if the cause is not overwhelmingly dominant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "attributed mainly to" functions as a causal connector, linking an effect to its primary cause. As Ludwig AI confirms, this construction is grammatically sound. The examples illustrate its role in identifying the principal reason behind various phenomena, from economic declines to scientific observations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

23%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "attributed mainly to" is a grammatically sound and frequently used causal connector. According to Ludwig AI, it's a correct expression for denoting the primary cause of an event or situation. Appearing most often in scientific and news contexts, this phrase carries a neutral to formal tone. While numerous alternative phrases exist, like "primarily ascribed to" and "largely credited to", it's crucial to accurately identify the main cause to prevent overgeneralizations. Remember to support your claims with data.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

primarily ascribed to

Focuses on the act of assigning a cause, emphasizing the primary nature of the attribution.

primarily due to

Directly states the main reason or cause.

largely credited to

Highlights the aspect of giving credit or recognition to the main cause.

largely owing to

Similar to "due to", but with a slightly more formal tone.

mostly accounted for by

Emphasizes that a significant portion is explained by the specified factor.

chiefly resulting from

Indicates that the main outcome or consequence is due to a particular reason.

mainly a consequence of

Highlights that the item is a result, with emphasis on the major factor contributing to that result.

principally caused by

Highlights that one cause is the most important or prominent.

predominantly linked to

Specifies a strong connection or association with the main factor.

essentially stemming from

Focuses on the origin or root cause of the situation.

FAQs

How can I use "attributed mainly to" in a sentence?

Use "attributed mainly to" to indicate the primary cause or reason for something. For example, "The decline in sales was attributed mainly to the economic downturn".

What are some alternatives to "attributed mainly to"?

You can use alternatives like "primarily ascribed to", "largely credited to", or "mostly accounted for by depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "attributed mainly to" or should I use "attributed primarily to"?

Both "attributed mainly to" and "attributed primarily to" are correct and convey essentially the same meaning. The choice depends on personal preference.

What's the difference between "attributed mainly to" and "partially due to"?

"Attributed mainly to" indicates the primary cause, while "partially due to" suggests that the factor is one of several contributing causes, but not necessarily the most significant.