have been attributed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been attributed" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something has been assigned or credited to a particular source or cause, often in the context of ideas, actions, or characteristics. Example: "Many of the advancements in modern technology have been attributed to the pioneering work of early computer scientists."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The figures should have been attributed.

The New York Times

The account should have been attributed.

The New York Times

Sinister motives have been attributed to him.

The Times

No deaths have been attributed to the drought.

The New York Times

Already two miracles have been attributed to Mother Teresa.

The Guardian

Three deaths have been attributed to the storm.

The New York Times

No deaths have been attributed to growth hormone.

The New York Times

These geoid lows have been attributed to Mesozoic subduction1,2.

Nature

At least three deaths have been attributed to the storm.

The Washington Post

Many of these modern extinctions have been attributed to Bd.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Three deaths have been attributed to the flooding, officials said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have been attributed", ensure that the attribution is supported by credible evidence or sources. Avoid making unsubstantiated claims.

Common error

Avoid using "have been attributed" without specifying who or what is doing the attributing. Vague attributions weaken your argument and reduce credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been attributed" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that something (an effect, a cause, a quality, etc.) has been assigned or credited to a specific source or agent. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "have been attributed" is a commonly used and grammatically correct passive voice construction. According to Ludwig AI, its purpose is to indicate that something has been assigned or credited to a particular source or cause. This expression finds frequent application across diverse contexts, including news reporting, scientific research, and academic writing. While inherently neutral in tone, its formality can adjust based on context. When employing this phrase, it's crucial to ensure the attribution is supported by reliable evidence and to explicitly state the agent of attribution to maintain clarity and credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been credited to

Replaces "attributed" with "credited", emphasizing recognition for an achievement or quality. Similarity score: 95

have been ascribed to

Uses "ascribed" in place of "attributed", suggesting a quality or characteristic is believed to belong to someone or something. Similarity score: 92

have been assigned to

Substitutes "attributed" with "assigned", highlighting the allocation of something to a specific cause or source. Similarity score: 90

have been linked to

Emphasizes a connection or association between two things, replacing "attributed" with "linked". Similarity score: 88

can be traced back to

Focuses on the origin or source, indicating that something's origin "can be traced back" to a specific cause. Similarity score: 85

stem from

Indicates that something originates or arises from a particular source or cause. Similarity score: 80

resulted from

Highlights the outcome or consequence of a specific action or event. Similarity score: 78

originate from

Focuses on the place, time, or manner in which something begins or comes into being. Similarity score: 75

are a consequence of

Stresses that something is a direct result or effect of another thing. Similarity score: 72

derive from

Implies that something is obtained or developed from a particular source. Similarity score: 70

FAQs

How can I use "have been attributed" in a sentence?

Use "have been attributed" to indicate that a quality, characteristic, or cause has been assigned or credited to something. For example, "The success of the project "has been attributed" to the team's hard work".

What are some alternatives to "have been attributed"?

You can use alternatives such as "have been credited to", "have been assigned to", or "have been linked to" depending on the specific meaning you want to convey.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "have been attributed"?

While "have been attributed" is in the passive voice, it's appropriate when the source or agent doing the attributing is unknown or unimportant. If the source is important, use the active voice: "Researchers attribute the discovery to X".

What's the difference between "have been attributed" and "have been ascribed"?

"Have been attributed" generally implies that something is believed to be caused or created by something else, while "have been ascribed" suggests that a quality or characteristic is believed to belong to someone or something.