he attributed that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he attributed that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of assigning a cause or reason to something, often in the context of opinions, actions, or events. Example: "He attributed that success to his team's hard work and dedication."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

He attributed that to the language barrier and work responsibilities.

The New York Times

He attributed that partially to Japan dispatching patrol ships to protect the fleet.

The Guardian

He attributed that troubling scene, he said, to the designer's longstanding drug and alcohol addictions.

The New York Times

He attributed that change almost entirely to an "upsurge" in listening on Android.

The New York Times

He attributed that to the intensive marketing campaigns for new condominiums.

The New York Times

In part, he attributed that to what he sees as spreading malaise about the Hamptons.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

The same happened to Mr. Singleton, and he attributes that to time spent with his father.

The New York Times

He attributes that to those cars having something different or even unique about them.

The New York Times

He attributes that bit of rebellion to his "Berkeley mood," where Edwards went to college.

The New York Times - Sports

But he attributes that success to timing, a bit of luck and a very different market.

The New York Times

He attributes that of a partner in the firm to "15 years' worth of graft," without explaining what he means by that charged word.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "he attributed that", ensure the subject pronoun clearly refers to a specific person or entity previously mentioned in the text to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "he attributed that" when you simply want to say someone 'said' or 'mentioned' something; "attributed" implies a causal relationship, not just a statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he attributed that" functions as a reporting clause, specifically indicating that a person has assigned a particular cause, reason, or characteristic to something. Ludwig examples demonstrate it connects a subject's action of attributing with a specific explanation or cause.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

1%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "he attributed that" is a common and grammatically correct way to report that someone has assigned a specific cause or reason to something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is frequently used in news and media to explain the rationale behind actions or events. When using this phrase, ensure clarity in pronoun reference and consider the subtle difference between attributing a cause versus simply reporting a statement. Alternatives like ""he ascribed it to that"" or ""he credited that to"" can offer nuanced variations in meaning. While generally neutral in register, "he attributed that" carries a degree of formality, making it suitable for professional and academic contexts as well.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he ascribed it to that

Replaces "attributed" with "ascribed" and slightly rephrases the sentence structure.

he credited that to

Uses "credited" instead of "attributed", emphasizing acknowledgment of contribution.

he assigned that cause to

Uses "assigned" to highlight the act of allocating a cause.

he considered that due to

Emphasizes consideration of a specific cause or factor.

he explained that by

Substitutes "attributed" with "explained", focusing on providing a reason.

he put that down to

Replaces "attributed" with the idiomatic phrase "put that down to".

he linked that to

Indicates a connection or association between two things.

he blamed that on

Employs "blamed", suggesting a negative cause is being assigned.

he saw that as a result of

Uses a more descriptive phrase to express the causal relationship.

he accounted for that with

Focuses on providing a detailed explanation or justification.

FAQs

What does "he attributed that" mean?

The phrase "he attributed that" means that someone assigned a particular cause, reason, or characteristic to something. It implies a causal relationship or explanation.

What can I say instead of "he attributed that"?

You can use alternatives like "he ascribed it to that", "he credited that to", or "he explained that by", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "he attributed that to X" and "he said that X caused that"?

Yes, "he attributed that to X" directly assigns X as the cause, while "he said that X caused that" reports his statement about the cause, adding a layer of indirectness. The first is more assertive about his belief.

How to use "he attributed that" in a sentence?

Use "he attributed that" when you want to express that a specific person assigned a reason or cause to an event or situation. For example, "He attributed that success to hard work and dedication."