be attributable to

USAGE SUMMARY

"be attributable to" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to indicate the source or cause of something, and is usually followed by a noun. Example: Damage to the building can be attributable to the storm.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That may be attributable to the economy.

The New York Times

And some of it may be attributable to gender.

The Guardian - Opinion

Some of it may be attributable to poor optics.

The Guardian - Opinion

Or it may be attributable to his rakish smirk.

The New York Times

Timing-wise, they might be attributable to the heroin trade.

The New York Times

This lack of protection might be attributable to two reasons.

Harvard University

Net Worth Increases Must be Attributable to Taxable Income.

Cornell University

The scientists theorize that differences in responses among individuals may be attributable to genetic variations.

The New York Times - Health

A lot of that could be attributable to the pending war with Iraq.

The New York Times

In it, they reported that more than 200,000 deaths might be attributable to the disaster.

The Guardian

This, however, should never be attributable to the C.I.A. or to the U.S. government".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be attributable to" when you want to formally and precisely identify the cause or origin of a particular event, condition, or phenomenon. This phrase is particularly useful in scientific, academic, and professional contexts where accuracy and clarity are paramount.

Common error

Avoid using "be attributable to" in casual or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "be due to" or "be caused by" are more appropriate for everyday conversations and less formal texts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be attributable to" functions as a causal connector, linking an effect to its cause. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. Examples from Ludwig demonstrate its use in various contexts to explain the origin or reason behind a particular phenomenon.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be attributable to" is a grammatically sound phrase that functions as a causal connector, predominantly used to formally and precisely link an effect to its cause. Ludwig AI data confirms its high frequency across academic, scientific, and news contexts. While it's a reliable choice for formal writing, it's best to opt for simpler alternatives in casual conversation to maintain an appropriate tone. This phrase helps pinpoint the source of various occurrences, ensuring clarity and accuracy in professional communications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be due to

Uses "due to" instead of "attributable to", implying a direct cause-and-effect relationship.

be ascribed to

Similar to "attributable", but can also imply an element of subjective judgment or belief in assigning the cause.

be caused by

Replaces "attributable" with "caused", offering a more direct and simpler expression of causation.

result from

Focuses on the outcome or consequence of a cause, rather than directly attributing the cause.

arise from

Suggests an emergence or development from a source, rather than a direct causal link.

stem from

Implies a root or origin from which something develops, often used for abstract or complex causes.

be a consequence of

Highlights the resulting effect, placing emphasis on the outcome of the cause.

originate in

Indicates the place or time where something began, rather than a specific cause.

be linked to

Suggests a connection or association, which might not be a direct causal relationship.

be explained by

Offers a reason or justification for something, rather than a direct cause.

FAQs

How can I use "be attributable to" in a sentence?

Use "be attributable to" to formally indicate the cause or origin of something. For example, "The increase in sales can "be attributable to" the new marketing campaign".

What phrases are similar to "be attributable to"?

Alternatives include "be due to", "be caused by", or "result from". Choose the phrase that best fits the context and level of formality required.

Is it always necessary to use "be attributable to" in formal writing?

While "be attributable to" is suitable for formal writing, you can sometimes use simpler phrases like "be due to" or "arise from" if they convey the meaning effectively and maintain the appropriate tone.

What's the difference between "be attributable to" and "be related to"?

"Be attributable to" indicates a direct cause-and-effect relationship, whereas "be related to" suggests a connection or association that may not be causal. For example, "The illness is attributable to a virus" implies the virus caused the illness, while "The illness is related to stress" suggests a possible link but not necessarily causation.