be attributed to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be attributed to" is correct and can be used in written English.
The phrase is usually used to indicate that a particular idea, phrase, or quote has been credited to a particular source or person. For example: The famous quote, "life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans," is often attributed to John Lennon.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Could that also be attributed to statins?

Harvard University

The errors can be attributed to oversight".

The New York Times

"This can be attributed to technology.

The Guardian

The Holocene warming can be attributed to the Milankovitch Cycles.

University of California, Berkeley

Perhaps this can be attributed to an innate artistic ability.

Princeton University

Such fragility must, unquestionably, be attributed to his traumatic childhood.

The Guardian

This development can be attributed, to some extent, to biology.

The Guardian

Some of that can be attributed to a bad hip.

The New York Times - Sports

But that failure cannot be attributed to Gallagher.

The Guardian

Much of that can be attributed to Carnegie's zippy prose.

The New Yorker

It's too deep to be attributed to clear sources.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be attributed to" when you want to formally credit a specific cause, origin, or source. It's suitable for academic, news, and professional writing.

Common error

Avoid using "be attributed to" in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "because of" or "due to" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be attributed to" functions as a causal connector, indicating that something is caused or explained by something else. It is commonly used to link an effect to its cause or to assign responsibility or origin. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating this function.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

33%

Academia

19%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be attributed to" is a versatile phrase used to indicate causality, origin, or responsibility. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across diverse contexts, particularly in news, science, and academic writing. While the phrase is broadly applicable, be mindful of its relatively formal tone and opt for simpler alternatives in casual settings. Remember that while "be related to" suggests a connection, "be attributed to" implies a more direct causal link. Leveraging this understanding will enhance the precision and clarity of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be ascribed to

Similar meaning, focusing on assigning a quality or characteristic to something. Slightly more formal.

be credited to

Focuses on giving recognition or acknowledgement for an achievement or idea.

be due to

Emphasizes causality; something happens as a direct result of something else.

be caused by

Directly indicates causation, often used in scientific or technical contexts.

be linked to

Suggests a connection or association, but not necessarily direct causation.

be the result of

Highlights the outcome or consequence of a particular action or event.

be put down to

Suggests a more informal or speculative attribution of cause.

be explained by

Focuses on providing a reason or justification for something.

arise from

Indicates that something originates or stems from a particular source.

stem from

Similar to arise from, suggesting origin or derivation.

FAQs

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

You can use "be attributed to" to indicate the cause or origin of something. For example, "The increase in sales can "be attributed to" the new marketing campaign".

What are some alternatives to "be attributed to"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "be caused by", "be due to", or "be ascribed to".

Is it correct to say "is attributed to" instead of "be attributed to"?

Yes, "is attributed to" is correct when referring to a specific instance in the present tense. "Be attributed to" is used in more general statements or when a modal verb is involved (e.g., "can "be attributed to"").

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

"Be attributed to" suggests a direct causal relationship, while "be related to" implies a connection or association that may not be directly causal. For example, smoking is attributed to lung cancer, but stress is related to heart disease.