be attributed back

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be attributed back" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in contexts discussing the source or origin of something, but it is better to use clearer alternatives. Example: "The findings of this study can be attributed back to the original research conducted in 2010."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Readmissions at separate hospitals will be attributed back to the incident hospitalization.

BMC Health Services Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

This appearance could be attributed to back-folding of some of the repeat units in the flexible case and to a branching angle effect in the stiff case.

Polymer

Much of that jump can be attributed to back-scratching deals with affiliated companies, which increased 90% in 2000 to $482 million, a third of total revenues.

Forbes

That win can be attributed to the back-to-back penalties taken by veteran winger Patrick Sharp, allowing the Lightning to gain significant offensive zone time to break the deadlock.

The Guardian - Sport

They are thus able to attract a constant flow of fresh young minds and retain their low-key "company culture". Indeed, much of their precocious success can be attributed to the laid-back yet diligent ambiance of their Collegetown offices.

Cornell University

But much of his success can be attributed to his laid-back attitude.

Los Angeles Times

The variation of abrasive particle distribution in the jet in the AAJ micromachining might be attributed to the flow bounce back and stagnation effects when the jet impacts on a target workpiece.

Journal of Manufacturing Processes

The lack of goals by the interval had to be attributed to a pair of back fours who are improving and who coped well without a screen of curmudgeonly midfielders ahead of them.

The Guardian - Sport

And if someone has embedded your Flickr photo on their website or blog and it is pinned from there, the photo will automagically be attributed on Pinterest and linked back to the Flickr photo page.

TechCrunch

A large percentage of back pain can be attributed to degeneration of the intervertebral disc (IVD).

The Spine Journal

Part of that can be attributed to brisk driving on those back roads and part to those big Pirellis.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Prioritize clarity by using established phrases like "be traced back to" or "be linked to" instead of "be attributed back". This enhances reader comprehension.

Common error

Avoid using "be attributed back" as it can sound redundant. Instead, choose a single, direct verb phrase that clearly indicates causation or origin, such as "stem from" or "originate from".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be attributed back" functions as a passive construction where a cause or origin is being assigned to something. However, it's not a standard or commonly accepted grammatical construction, as noted by Ludwig. The phrase aims to denote a cause-and-effect relationship.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be attributed back" is not a standard English construction and is best avoided in formal writing. Ludwig AI indicates that while the intent is understandable—to denote causation or origin—clearer and more conventional phrases exist, such as "be traced back to" or "be linked to". Using these alternatives enhances clarity and ensures grammatical correctness. Although the phrase may occasionally appear, it is not widely adopted across diverse sources, making its usage potentially confusing. To maintain professionalism and readability, it is advisable to opt for established alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be traced back to

Focuses on origin and historical connection rather than direct causation.

be linked back to

Emphasizes a connection or relationship rather than direct causation.

be ascribed to

More formal, suggests assigning a cause or characteristic.

be credited to

Highlights acknowledgment or recognition of a source.

be blamed on

Specifies assigning responsibility for a negative outcome.

be put down to

Suggests a more casual or speculative attribution.

stem from

Indicates that something originates or arises from something else.

originate from

Directly points to the source or beginning of something.

result from

Highlights that something is a consequence of something else.

arise from

Similar to 'result from' but often implies a more gradual or less direct consequence.

FAQs

What does "be attributed back" mean?

The phrase "be attributed back" isn't standard English. A clearer alternative is to use phrases like "be traced back to" or "be linked back to" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to use "be attributed back"?

While understandable, "be attributed back" is not considered grammatically ideal. Using a more common phrase such as "be ascribed to" ensures greater clarity.

How can I use "be attributed back" in a sentence?

While it can be used, consider rephrasing for clarity. Instead of "The success can be attributed back to hard work", try "The success "stems from" hard work".

What are some alternatives to "be attributed back"?

Alternatives include "be traced back to", "be linked to", or "be ascribed to". The best choice depends on the specific meaning you want to convey.