be put down to

USAGE SUMMARY

"be put down to" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to attribute something to a particular cause or origin. Here are some examples: 1. The rise in crime rates can be put down to poverty and lack of opportunities. 2. The success of the project can be put down to the hard work and dedication of the team. 3. Her constant mood swings can be put down to hormonal imbalances. 4. The delay in the delivery can be put down to unforeseen circumstances. 5. The decline in sales can be put down to the economic recession. 6. The increase in traffic accidents can be put down to reckless driving habits. 7. The sudden popularity of the app can be put down to effective marketing strategies. 8. Her poor performance can be put down to lack of proper training. 9. The failure of the business can be put down to mismanagement. 10. The success of the event can be put down to the support of our sponsors.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

More of it can be put down to what is variously known as white-line fever, brain-freeze and butchery.

BBC

But their friendship cannot be put down to chance.

Independent

That can be put down to the quarrel over Iraq.

The Economist

Sure, this all could be put down to football decisions.

The New York Times

What I did cannot be put down to youthful folly.

The New Yorker

Again, it can be put down to coincidence.

The Guardian - Sport

"It can no longer be put down to management".

The Guardian

It could be put down to ignorance, full stop.

The Guardian - Sport

"Me, I don't like to be put down to a specific thing.

Independent

BEATING the S&P 500 index over one year could be put down to luck.

The Economist

His scaremongering over the Manhattan mosque could be put down to the usual demagoguery.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be put down to" when you want to suggest a reason or cause for something, but avoid using it if a more direct or formal tone is required, as alternatives like "be attributed to" may be more suitable.

Common error

While "be put down to" is acceptable, avoid overusing it in formal documents. Opt for more precise or sophisticated synonyms like "be attributed to" or "be ascribed to" for greater clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

"Be put down to" functions as a causal connector, linking an outcome or situation to its cause or explanation. As Ludwig AI points out, this phrase is widely recognized and used in written English. The examples in Ludwig show its application in various contexts to attribute causes to different events or phenomena.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

29%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be put down to" is a common phrase used to attribute a cause or reason to a particular event or situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used. While generally neutral in register, it is most frequently found in News & Media and Science contexts. For more formal writing, synonyms like "be attributed to" or "be ascribed to" may be preferred. Remember to use this phrase when you want to explain why something happened, but consider your audience and the level of formality required. Ludwig's examples showcase its versatility in explaining a wide range of phenomena.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be attributed to

Uses "attributed" instead of "put down", implying assignment of a quality or characteristic.

be due to

Indicates causation, similar to the original phrase, but more concise.

be ascribed to

Employs "ascribed" which suggests a more formal or considered assignment of cause.

result from

Focuses on the outcome as a consequence of something, rather than explicitly assigning cause.

stem from

Suggests that something originates or develops from a particular source.

be caused by

Directly states that something is the effect of a specific cause.

arise from

Indicates that something emerges or originates from a particular source or cause.

be a consequence of

Highlights the result or effect of something.

originate from

Emphasizes the point of origin or beginning of something.

be traced back to

Implies finding the root cause or source of something, often after investigation.

FAQs

What does "be put down to" mean?

The phrase "be put down to" means to attribute something to a particular cause or reason. For example, "The project's success can "be put down to" the team's dedication".

How can I use "be put down to" in a sentence?

You can use "be put down to" to explain the cause of something. For example, "The increase in sales can "be put down to" the new marketing campaign".

Which is more formal, "be put down to" or "be attributed to"?

"Be attributed to" is generally considered more formal than ""be put down to"". Use "be attributed to" in more formal writing contexts.

What are some alternatives to "be put down to"?

Alternatives to ""be put down to"" include "be attributed to", "be ascribed to", or "be due to", depending on the context.