cannot be attributed to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot be attributed to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something cannot be assigned or linked to a particular cause, source, or individual. Example: "The sudden increase in sales cannot be attributed to the new marketing strategy alone."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But that failure cannot be attributed to Gallagher.

The Guardian

The difference cannot be attributed to completely innocent explanations".

The Guardian - Film

This effect cannot be attributed to Pitt's acting.

The New York Times - Magazine

Such failures cannot be attributed to Strong alone.

Nature

Hurricane Katrina cannot be attributed to global warming.

The New York Times

It cannot be attributed to anything the Court said in Basic.

Harvard University

The Jewish leaders' even stricter separationism cannot be attributed to secularity.

The New York Times

That extraordinary difference cannot be attributed to Nevada's mining efficiency alone.

The New York Times

The overall decline in student writing ability cannot be attributed to one cause.

The Washington Post

"The attacks cannot be attributed to mistake or coincidence," his attorneys said.

The Washington Post

Second, virtual brainstorming enables feelings of anonymity, since ideas cannot be attributed to a specific person.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cannot be attributed to", ensure that you clearly state what the subject can be attributed to, if known. This provides a more complete and informative statement.

Common error

Avoid using "cannot be attributed to" when there is a potential correlation, even if direct causation is unproven. Instead, acknowledge the possible connection while stating the lack of definitive proof.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be attributed to" functions as a negative causal statement, indicating that a specific factor is not the cause or reason for a particular outcome or event. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is considered grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

35%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cannot be attributed to" is a versatile construction used to deny a causal relationship between two elements. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used in various formal and scientific contexts. Analyzing the provided examples reveals that the phrase appears in diverse fields ranging from climate science to finance, highlighting its widespread applicability. While "cannot be attributed to" is common, it's essential to provide alternative explanations or contributing factors when possible, ensuring a balanced and informative statement. Alternatives like "cannot be ascribed to" or "is not due to" may offer subtle differences in meaning. Avoid using the phrase when a correlation exists, even if direct causation is unproven.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot be ascribed to

Replaces "attributed" with "ascribed", focusing on assigning a quality or characteristic.

is not due to

Indicates that something is not caused or explained by a specific factor.

cannot be linked to

Replaces "attributed" with "linked", emphasizing a lack of connection or association.

cannot be blamed on

Substitutes "attributed" with "blamed", specifically suggesting lack of fault or responsibility.

is not a consequence of

Highlights that something is not the outcome or effect of a specific event or action.

cannot be credited to

Substitutes "attributed" with "credited", indicating a lack of deserving praise or recognition.

does not stem from

Emphasizes that something does not originate or arise from a particular source.

is not a result of

Rephrases the passive construction to actively deny a causal relationship.

is unrelated to

Focuses on the lack of any connection or correlation between two things.

is independent of

Stresses that something is not influenced or determined by a particular factor.

FAQs

How can I use "cannot be attributed to" in a sentence?

Use "cannot be attributed to" to indicate that a particular cause or factor is not responsible for a specific outcome or event. For example, "The company's success "cannot be attributed to" luck alone".

What are some alternatives to saying "cannot be attributed to"?

Alternatives include "cannot be ascribed to", "cannot be linked to", or "is not due to". Choose the alternative that best fits the specific context.

What is the difference between "cannot be attributed to" and "cannot be blamed on"?

"Cannot be attributed to" is a general statement denying a causal relationship. "Cannot be blamed on" implies that someone or something is not responsible for a negative outcome. The latter carries a connotation of fault or responsibility.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "cannot be attributed to"?

The phrase "cannot be attributed to" is inherently passive. While grammatically correct, consider if rephrasing in the active voice would make your writing more direct and clear. For example, instead of "The failure "cannot be attributed to" the team", you could say "The team did not cause the failure".