be traceable to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be traceable to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the origin or source of something, indicating that it can be linked back to a specific cause or factor. Example: "The discrepancies in the report can be traceable to a lack of accurate data collection."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

And her fixation on John Wilkes Booth may be traceable to their shared birthday (May 10).

The New York Times

Some of this difference may be traceable to the show's sources.

The New York Times

While e-mail aliases would not be banned, they would have to be traceable to the actual account holder.

The New York Times

The association of dedicated prostitutes with certain Hindu shrines may be traceable to the beginning of the Common Era.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Some of the characteristic alienation of many high school students may be traceable to the insensitivity of school districts to these issues.

The New York Times

The cold-blooded tactic may be traceable to al-Shabaab's struggle to establish itself and gain membership of the al-Qaida network.

The Guardian

Some of the worst excesses of recent decades -- the Bay of Pigs comes to mind -- may be traceable to too much imagination.

The New York Times

Unilever has made a big promise: "100% of palm oil bought will be traceable to known sources by end 2014" gloats the press release on the company's website.

The Guardian

In 2011-12, dincreperformanceperformance between men and women had been thought to be traceable to anomalies within that year group.

The Guardian

Elsewhere, Bailey ventures peculiar conclusions that may be traceable to his having died last year, before he had the chance to polish his text.

The New York Times - Books

To prove an antitrust violation, any financial harm suffered by private plaintiffs must be traceable to the negative effect on competition from the collusion.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be traceable to", ensure the connection between the effect and its source is clear and supported by evidence. This enhances the credibility of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "be traceable to" when the link between cause and effect is speculative or lacks sufficient evidence. Using weaker language such as "may be linked to" can improve accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be traceable to" functions primarily as a verb phrase indicating the ability to identify the origin or source of something. As Ludwig AI states, it is grammatically correct and usable in written English. Examples in Ludwig illustrate its use in linking effects to their causes or origins.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

55%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be traceable to" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed verb phrase used to indicate that something's origin or cause can be identified. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, particularly news, science, and encyclopedic content. The phrase suggests a verifiable link between an effect and its source, as highlighted in the provided examples from Ludwig. While alternatives like "be attributed to" or "be linked to" exist, "be traceable to" emphasizes a clear, investigable connection. When using it, ensure that the connection is well-supported to maintain credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be attributed to

This alternative emphasizes the act of assigning a cause or origin.

be linked to

This option suggests a connection or association between two things.

be connected with

This alternative highlights a relationship or association.

be associated with

This phrase implies a connection or correlation.

originate from

This phrase focuses on the starting point or source.

stem from

This option emphasizes the origin or root cause.

derive from

This phrase indicates a source or derivation.

be caused by

This alternative specifies a direct cause-and-effect relationship.

be rooted in

This option emphasizes a deep-seated origin or foundation.

have its origins in

This phrase highlights the historical beginnings or source.

FAQs

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

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

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

"Be traceable to" suggests a verifiable path back to the source, whereas "be attributed to" implies assigning a cause, which may or may not be fully proven.

Which is correct, "be traceable to" or "is traceable to"?

Both are correct, but "be traceable to" is an infinitive form used with auxiliary verbs (e.g., can be, may be), while "is traceable to" is a conjugated form used when referring to a specific subject (e.g., the error is traceable to).

What can I say instead of ""be traceable to""?

Alternatives include "be linked to", "be attributed to", or "originate from", depending on the specific context.