is down to

USAGE SUMMARY

"is down to" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to refer to that which is responsible for something. For example, "His success in the race is down to months of rigorous training."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That is down to him.

Independent

That is down to 28.

The Economist

That is down to confidence".

Independent

Now, sometimes, it is down to five.

The New York Times

Temperature is down to 45 degrees.

The New York Times

Our genus, Homo, is down to one.

The New Yorker

France is down to one aircraft-carrier.

The Economist

Now, the figure is down to $1.10.

The New York Times

Eating meat, however, is down to us.

Independent

His decision is down to him.

Independent

The final judgment is down to you.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is down to" to clearly indicate the primary cause or determining factor of a situation. It's most effective when you want to assign responsibility or explain the root of an issue.

Common error

While "is down to" is widely understood, in highly formal or academic writing, consider using alternatives like "is attributable to" or "is due to" for a more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is down to" functions as a causal connector, indicating the reason or cause of a particular situation or outcome. As Ludwig AI explains, it attributes responsibility or explains the root of an issue, as evidenced in numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

18%

Science

14%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is down to" serves as a common causal connector, pinpointing the reasons or factors influencing a situation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and its prevalence in everyday language. While "is down to" is widely accepted, it's essential to consider context and audience. In more formal settings, alternatives like "is attributable to" may be preferable. The phrase's effectiveness lies in its ability to assign responsibility and clarify root causes. With a very common frequency, especially in News & Media, mastering the art of wielding the phrase "is down to" will definitely improve the efficacy of your written communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is caused by

Directly indicates the agent or factor responsible for a specific event or condition.

is due to

Common synonym indicating the cause or reason for something, often implying a direct relationship.

is explained by

Focuses on providing a reason or justification for a particular phenomenon or situation.

is attributable to

Formal alternative that emphasizes the cause or origin of something.

is a consequence of

Emphasizes the outcome as a direct result of a preceding action or event.

is a result of

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

stems from

Suggests that something originates or arises from a particular source or cause.

derives from

Similar to 'stems from' but often used in more formal or technical contexts.

is thanks to

Informal and positive way of attributing something to a person or factor.

is on account of

Formal alternative to 'because of', indicating the reason or explanation for something.

FAQs

How can I use "is down to" in a sentence?

The phrase "is down to" is used to indicate the reason or cause of something. For instance, "The team's success "is down to" their hard work and dedication".

What are some alternatives to "is down to"?

You can use phrases like "is due to", "is attributable to", or "is caused by" as alternatives to "is down to", depending on the context.

Is "is down to" formal or informal?

The phrase "is down to" is generally considered neutral but can lean towards informal. In more formal writing, consider using "is attributable to" or "is due to".

What's the difference between "is down to" and "due to"?

While both phrases indicate causation, "is down to" often implies a more direct or simplified explanation. "Due to" can be used in similar contexts but might sound slightly more formal.