being attributed by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "being attributed by" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used incorrectly; the correct form would be "attributed to" when indicating the source of an idea or action. Example: "The discovery was being attributed to the renowned scientist."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The Lockean elements of both books led to their being attributed by some to Locke.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Mr. Obama will be blamed for that, Republicans argue, and any improvement will be attributed by his opponents to the fiscal discipline Republicans imposed.

The New York Times

See note 1.] Ancient rock art in Australia is attributed by the indigenous people to dreaming beings.

Communicative and Integrative Biology

One of the ex-directory numbers was attributed by Whittamore to Milly's family home.

The Guardian

Supernatural powers have long been attributed by astrologers to certain gemstones.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Neil Kinnock's failure to attract female voters was attributed by some to his bald pate.

The Economist

The 2013 theft was attributed by the company to be a cause of the breach in April 2015.

The Guardian - Tech

These epic gestations are attributed by awed Tartt admirers and devotees of websites such as Donna Tartt Shrine to uncompromising perfectionism.

The Guardian - Books

"They have almost identical dimensions and have both been attributed by scholars to El Greco's Italian period," she explained.

The New York Times - Arts

Their growth has been attributed by some to being attractive to people on the far right, conspiracy theorists and "very noisy careerists" as their deputy once called them.

The Guardian

The individuals identified were not notified of the breach because the ABS considered it to be "minor", and the matter was attributed by the ABS to human error.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "attributed to" for clear, grammatically correct attribution in formal writing. For example, instead of "The error was being attributed by the system", write "The error was attributed to the system".

Common error

Avoid using "being attributed by" as it often results from a misunderstanding of passive voice constructions. Ensure the sentence clearly indicates who or what is doing the attributing and use "attributed to" for accurate phrasing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "being attributed by" functions as part of a passive construction, aiming to indicate the source or cause of something. However, Ludwig AI indicates that this phrasing is not considered correct in standard English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

32%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

11%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "being attributed by" appears in various contexts, Ludwig AI analysis reveals that it is generally considered grammatically incorrect. The correct and preferred alternative is "attributed to". Although examples can be found across different sources, including news, science, and encyclopedias, writers should exercise caution and opt for the grammatically sound "attributed to" to ensure clarity and accuracy in their writing. The best practice is to replace "being attributed by" with "attributed to" for clearer and more grammatically correct communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

attributed to

This is the standard and grammatically correct way to indicate the source of something.

credited to

Similar to 'attributed to', but often used when acknowledging someone's achievement or contribution.

ascribed to

This suggests a less certain attribution, implying a belief or conjecture rather than a proven fact.

blamed on

Specifically used when attributing a negative outcome or fault to someone or something.

put down to

Often used in informal contexts to attribute something to a particular cause or reason.

assigned to

This implies a formal or official attribution, often in administrative or organizational contexts.

traced back to

Used to indicate the origin or source of something, often after investigation or research.

linked to

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

pinned on

Similar to 'blamed on', but often used in a more accusatory or forceful manner.

imputed to

This suggests attributing something, often a motive or characteristic, to someone, usually in a formal or legal context.

FAQs

How do I correctly use "attributed to" in a sentence?

Use "attributed to" to show the cause or origin of something. For example, "The success of the project was "attributed to" the team's hard work."

What are some alternatives to "being attributed by"?

Instead of "being attributed by", you can use phrases like "credited to", "ascribed to", or ""attributed to"" depending on the context.

Is "being attributed by" grammatically correct?

No, "being attributed by" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. The correct and more common form is ""attributed to"".

What's the difference between "attributed to" and "ascribed to"?

"Attributed to" usually implies a confirmed source or cause, while "ascribed to" suggests a less certain attribution, implying a belief or conjecture.