can be attributable to

USAGE SUMMARY

"can be attributable to" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe something that can be explained or attributed to a certain cause. For example, "The increase in sales this quarter can be attributable to the launch of our new product line."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The observed differences can be attributable to sociodemographic and cultural differences between countries.

Journal of Theoretical Biology

Many of the country's problems can be attributable to its stage of development and wider global trends.

The Guardian

In part, the out-sized impact the book is having can be attributable to Woodward's reputation, sourcing (hundreds of people) and possession of scores of taped interviews.

The Washington Post

Several past experimental programs have stressed that the apparent strength and stiffness enhancement phenomena observed in tensile circular steel tubes can be attributable to the filled concrete.

Journal of Constructional Steel Research

From the calculation, spectral changes observed in O-K ELNES from a Ni/ZrO2 interface can be attributable to interfacial oxygen Ni interactions.

Micron

From a material viewpoint, modern concrete's frequent propensity to plastic shrinkage cracking can be attributable to a combination of low water-binder ratio use and ever-changing properties of binding materials.

Construction and Building Materials

Attributable fraction in the exposed and (population) attributable fraction have been extensively used to determine the proportion of cases of a particular disease that can be attributable to any risk factor.

Journal of Clinical Epidemiology

When similarly conducted polls have such discrepancies in results, they can be attributable to factors like voter definition, the order in which questions were asked and how the questions were worded.

The New York Times

Previous literature suggests that disaster resilience can be attributable to multiple factors, including leadership.

International Journal of Disaster Risk Science

The source of calcium carbonate can be attributable to chalk, a very finely grained limestone deposit.

Heritage Science

Of that amount, we estimated $12.5 million can be attributable to the team's name.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "can be attributable to", ensure the attributed cause is clearly and directly related to the effect you are describing. Avoid vague or unsupported claims.

Common error

Avoid using "can be attributable to" when the relationship is merely correlational, not causal. Instead, use softer language like "may be associated with" or "could be related to."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can be attributable to" functions as a causal connector, linking an outcome or effect to its potential cause or source. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. Examples show it explaining phenomena across various domains, from scientific findings to social trends.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

75%

News & Media

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "can be attributable to" serves as a formal connector used to explain a potential cause-and-effect relationship. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is used correctly across a range of contexts. With a very common frequency, it is mainly found in the Science and News & Media. When using "can be attributable to", ensure that the link between cause and effect is explicit and supportable. Alternatives such as ""can be explained by"" or ""can be due to"" provide similar meanings, but "can be attributable to" maintains a more formal tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can be caused by

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

can be explained by

Replaces "attributable to" with "explained by", focusing on providing a reason or understanding.

can be due to

Uses "due to" which is a common and straightforward way of indicating causation.

can be ascribed to

Changes the verb from 'attributable' to 'ascribed', which implies assigning a cause or characteristic to something.

can result from

Indicates that something is a consequence or outcome of a particular cause or action.

can be traced to

Uses 'traced' to indicate that the origin or cause of something can be followed back to a particular source.

can stem from

Similar to 'arise from', but often implies a more fundamental or root cause.

can arise from

Suggests that something originates or emerges from a specific source or condition.

can be blamed on

Employs 'blamed' suggesting that something negative is considered the cause or responsibility of something else.

can be put down to

Uses 'put down' which is an idiomatic expression meaning to attribute something to a particular reason or cause.

FAQs

What does "can be attributable to" mean?

The phrase "can be attributable to" means that something can be explained or caused by a particular factor. It suggests a causal relationship where one thing is the reason for another.

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

You can use "can be attributable to" to link an effect to its cause, such as: "The company's increased profits "can be attributable to" its innovative marketing strategies."

What are some alternatives to "can be attributable to"?

Alternatives to "can be attributable to" include phrases like "can be explained by", "can be due to", or "can be ascribed to". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "can be attributable to" formal or informal?

"Can be attributable to" is generally considered a formal phrase suitable for academic, scientific, or professional writing. In more casual contexts, simpler alternatives like "can be because of" may be more appropriate.