has been attributed to

USAGE SUMMARY

"has been attributed to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe when something has been attributed or credited to a particular person, group, or source. For example, "The phrase 'Live and let live' has been attributed to Lucretius, a Roman poet."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The cause has been attributed to abandoned underground quarries.

The New York Times

Their high air pollution has been attributed to substandard petrol.

The Guardian

Its institution has been attributed to Romulus or Numa Pompilius.

Britannica

Most of the violence has been attributed to gang warfare.

The New York Times

The crash has been attributed to pilot error.

The New York Times

This has been attributed to increased muscle strength by HRT.

Maturitas

No biological function has been attributed to this conserved antigen.

Cell Host & Microbe

AFs production in pistachio has been attributed to Aspergillus flavus.

Food Microbiology

This difference has been attributed to different regime of flow.

Chemical Engineering Science

This seven volume guidebook to Kyoto has been attributed to the latter.

Princeton University

The crash has been attributed to mechanical failures very common among Turkish-assembled F-16s.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been attributed to" when you want to indicate the perceived or generally accepted cause, origin, or source of something, particularly when there might be some uncertainty or debate.

Common error

Avoid overuse of passive constructions like "has been attributed to" by occasionally restructuring your sentences to use active voice. This can make your writing more direct and engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been attributed to" functions as a causal connector, linking an effect or outcome to a presumed cause or origin. It implies a relationship where something is believed or reported to be the reason for something else. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

31%

Science

31%

Academia

26%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has been attributed to" is a versatile causal connector widely used to indicate a perceived or reported cause, origin, or source. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and sees frequent use across various domains, including news, science, and academia. While it's generally safe to use, keep in mind that this phrase often implies a level of uncertainty and that other expressions (such as "is credited to", "is due to" or "is linked to") might be more appropriate depending on the context and desired level of certainty. Be mindful of overusing passive voice, and remember to occasionally restructure sentences for more direct communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is credited to

Focuses on the recognition or acknowledgment of someone's contribution or creation.

is assigned to

Implies a more formal or official allocation or connection.

is due to

Directly indicates causation, often used for explaining reasons or consequences.

is thought to be caused by

Specifies a belief or hypothesis about the cause of something.

is linked to

Highlights a connection or association between two things, without necessarily implying direct causation.

is the result of

Emphasizes the outcome or consequence of a particular action or event.

stems from

Suggests origin or root cause, often used for abstract concepts or long-term developments.

is derived from

Indicates the source or origin of something, often used in technical or formal contexts.

is connected with

Implies an association or relationship, often used in contexts where a direct causal link is not firmly established.

is explained by

Indicates that something can be understood or accounted for by a particular factor or reason.

FAQs

How can I use "has been attributed to" in a sentence?

The phrase "has been attributed to" is used to indicate the supposed cause, origin, or source of something. For example, "The increase in sales "has been attributed to" the new marketing campaign".

What are some alternatives to "has been attributed to"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "is credited to", "is due to", or "is linked to". These phrases convey similar meanings but with slight nuances.

Is it always accurate to use "has been attributed to"?

While "has been attributed to" suggests a cause or origin, it doesn't guarantee it's definitively proven. It's best used when the attribution is widely accepted but might still be subject to some uncertainty or discussion.

What's the difference between "has been attributed to" and "is caused by"?

"Has been attributed to" implies a perceived or commonly believed cause, whereas "is caused by" suggests a more direct and established causal relationship. Using "is caused by" implies a higher degree of certainty.