it may be attributable to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it may be attributable to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing potential causes or reasons for a particular outcome or situation. Example: "The increase in sales this quarter may be attributable to our new marketing strategy."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

And some of it may be attributable to gender.

The Guardian - Opinion

Some of it may be attributable to poor optics.

The Guardian - Opinion

Or it may be attributable to his rakish smirk.

The New York Times

Or it may be attributable to the attitude expressed by Eric Hambrecht, executive chef and co-owner with Tom Britt.

The New York Times

It may be attributable to him having just made his first Star Trek movie without Leonard Nimoy, the original Spock, who died in February 2015.

The Guardian - Film

Partly that was because of the failure of the Chinese to provide any information until 48 hours after the incident, but partly it may be attributable to the absence of any longtime China experts in the Bush inner circle.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

It also may be attributable to insufficient government funding and a limited workforce [ 20], which restricts the availability of relevant services and, in turn, increases the demand for treatment in existing services.

BMC Psychiatry

That it only intermittently did may be attributable to the diffuse, pop-art nature of the work itself, which promises more substance than it delivers.

The New York Times - Arts

Further whilst preterm births (as a proportion of all births) have been increasing in many countries [ 9, 10] it is unclear what proportion may be attributable to prior treatment for cervical disease.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

It could be speculated that they may be attributable to hormonal differences, along with aging collagen.

Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research

Given our previous analysis (Fig. 4, Fig. 5), it is possible that these differences may be attributable to patients with ART and/or ACT (Fig. 5b).

EBioMedicine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it may be attributable to", ensure that the subject and potential cause are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of "The problem may be attributable to errors", specify "The project delay may be attributable to errors in the initial planning phase".

Common error

Avoid overusing the passive construction "it may be attributable to". Active voice often provides a clearer and more direct explanation. For instance, instead of "The decline in profits may be attributable to increased competition", try "Increased competition may be causing the decline in profits".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it may be attributable to" functions as a causal connector, suggesting a potential explanation or reason for a particular phenomenon. As noted by Ludwig, the phrase is a valid and usable construction in English. It serves to introduce a possible cause or factor that contributes to a specific outcome, without asserting it as a definitive reason.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

41%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it may be attributable to" serves as a causal connector, employed to suggest a potential, but not definitive, explanation for a given situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is grammatically sound and appropriate in various contexts. While "it may be attributable to" appears across different types of sources, it's most frequently found in scientific and news-related content, reflecting a neutral to formal tone. When using the phrase, be mindful of clarity and consider alternatives like "it may be due to" or "it could be linked to" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Additionally, avoid overuse of the passive voice for a more direct and impactful writing style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is potentially due to

Replaces "attributable" with "due", indicating a direct cause.

it could be ascribed to

Replaces "may be attributable" with a more formal verb, "ascribed".

it might be ascribed to

Uses "might" instead of "may", suggesting a slightly lower probability.

it could stem from

Implies origination or development from a particular source.

it might arise from

Suggests a possible origin or emergence from something.

it could be explained by

Focuses on providing a potential explanation for something.

it might be clarified by

Suggests providing possible clarification or understanding.

it is possibly a result of

More explicitly states the possibility of a consequence.

it is conceivably a consequence of

Adds a layer of possibility, suggesting a plausible result.

it is hypothetically linked to

Highlights the speculative nature of the connection.

FAQs

How can I use "it may be attributable to" in a sentence?

Use "it may be attributable to" when you want to suggest a possible cause or explanation for something. For example, "The increase in sales this quarter "it may be attributable to" our new marketing strategy".

What are some alternatives to "it may be attributable to"?

You can use alternatives like "it may be due to", "it could be linked to", or "it might be caused by" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "it may be due to" or "it may be attributable to"?

Both phrases are correct, but "it may be due to" often implies a more direct cause, while "it may be attributable to" suggests a contributing factor among others.

What's the difference between "it may be attributable to" and "it is attributed to"?

"It is attributed to" implies a higher degree of certainty or evidence, while ""it may be attributable to"" indicates a possibility or hypothesis that hasn't been definitively proven.