it attributes that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it attributes that" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used incorrectly as it lacks a clear subject or object, making it unclear what is being attributed. Example: "The study shows that it attributes that the increase in temperature affects the migration patterns of birds."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

It attributes that loss to "affirmative steps" taken by Mr. Gore's office to store its e-mail messages in a computer system that made it impossible to retrieve them.

The New York Times

The F.D.A. acknowledges that the lack of inhaled generic medicines, as well as topical creams, has been costly for patients, but it attributes that to "difficult, longstanding scientific challenges," since measuring drug activity deep into the lung is complicated, said Sandy Walsh, a spokeswoman for the agency.

The New York Times

"That poll is very worrying because it attributes that to the fact that young people have not been engaged in it and are unlikely to vote," he told BBC Radio 5 Live's Pienaar's Politics.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

It attributed that to strong regulation of utilities in Missouri, the use of inexpensive coal to generate power and lower costs in general in the Midwest.

The New York Times

I have to say that at the time I attributed that to it being a dub of a dub on cassette.

The Guardian - Music

Is it finding attributes that balance out, or compensate, your own?

Huffington Post

Bago became a major centre of Theravada scholarship and of commerce in Southeast Asia, attributes that protected it from conquest.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Select one of the species on the Web site and create a fact sheet describing the species' attributes that make it deserving of this status.

The New York Times

But it's Nixon's personal attributes that invite the most interest.

Huffington Post

It is attributed that our gear-based TENG system could improve simultaneously the magnitude as well as the generation time of output power, finally enhancing output energy.

Nano Energy

It can be attributed that nZVI-g-C3N4 photochemicallystableicandy stable, and part of nZVI can be recovered by g-C3N4.

Applied Surface Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "attribute", ensure a clear subject and object in your sentence to avoid ambiguity. For example, "The study attributes the increase in temperature to climate change" is clearer than "It attributes that the increase in temperature."

Common error

Avoid using "it attributes that" without specifying what "it" refers to. This can lead to confusion about who or what is making the attribution. Clarify the subject to improve sentence clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it attributes that" functions as a clause connector, attempting to link a subject with an attribution. However, it often lacks clarity, as noted by Ludwig AI, making the connection ambiguous. It's more common in scientific and news contexts but requires careful construction.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "it attributes that" appears in various sources, including news and scientific contexts, Ludwig AI suggests it is often grammatically incorrect due to a lack of clarity regarding the subject and object of the attribution. Alternatives like "it ascribes that" or more specific constructions such as "the study attributes X to Y" are recommended for improved clarity and precision. The phrase's purpose is to assign causation or characteristics, but its ambiguous nature makes it less suitable for formal writing. Be mindful of constructing sentences clearly to avoid confusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it ascribes that

Replaces "attributes" with "ascribes", offering a more formal and direct way to indicate assigning a quality or cause.

it assigns that

Uses "assigns" instead of "attributes", focusing on the act of assigning a cause or characteristic.

it connects that to

Changes the structure to emphasize a connection between two elements, making the causal relationship clearer.

it links that with

Similar to "connects that to", this highlights an association or relationship between the mentioned items.

it suggests that is due to

Adds a degree of suggestion or inference regarding the cause, softening the direct attribution.

it considers that a result of

Emphasizes consideration or judgment in viewing something as a consequence of something else.

it believes that is caused by

Focuses on belief or opinion about the cause, rather than a definitive attribution.

it supposes that arises from

Suggests an assumption or hypothesis about the origin or cause of something.

it deduces that stems from

Indicates that the conclusion is derived logically from observed facts or evidence.

it infers that originates in

Implies that the attribution is based on reasoning or interpretation of available information.

FAQs

What does it mean to attribute something?

To attribute something means to regard something as being caused by someone or something. It is also used to assign a particular quality or characteristic to someone or something.

How can I rephrase a sentence that starts with "it attributes that"?

You can rephrase it to be more clear by specifying the subject. For example, instead of "it attributes that", use "the study "suggests that"" or "the research "ascribes that to"".

Is "it attributes that" grammatically correct?

As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase "it attributes that" is often considered incorrect because it lacks a clear subject or object, leading to ambiguity. Use more specific constructions like "the author "attributes that to"".

What are some alternatives to "attributes" in academic writing?

Alternatives include "ascribes", "assigns", "credits", or "links". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.