it was attributed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was attributed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the source or origin of a statement, idea, or work, indicating that it is credited to a particular person or group. Example: "The quote 'To be or not to be' was attributed to William Shakespeare."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Well, it was attributed to McLuhan with uncharacteristic selflessness by its insistent popularizer, Timothy Leary, who usually gets credit for it himself.

Huffington Post

It was attributed to Donald Trump.

The New York Times

It was attributed to "well-placed sources".

The New York Times

When it was attributed to Vladimir Lenin, most disagreed.

The Washington Post

It was attributed to Umenyiora, but Tuck joked that he wanted credit for half.

The New York Times - Sports

It was attributed to Churchill, but in this case it wasn't him.

The Guardian - Books

The A.P. account of it was attributed to "several people who have seen the memo".

The New York Times

"I know it was attributed somehow to some ingenious advance man from my staff.

The New York Times

In the 19th century, it was attributed to Sebastiano del Piombo.

The Guardian - Arts

The bombing, aimed at the Uffizi gallery, killed five people; it was attributed to the Mafia.

The New York Times

It was attributed to the increased reflection by the lattice array structures.

Solid-State Electronics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was attributed", ensure that the attribution is accurate and based on reliable sources. Misattributing information can damage your credibility.

Common error

Avoid using "it was attributed" without specifying who or what the statement is attributed to. Vague attribution weakens the claim. Be specific: "It was attributed to a study by the National Institute of Health."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was attributed" functions as a passive construction, indicating that a particular statement, idea, or work is credited to a specific source. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English, suggesting its role in providing clarity regarding origins and sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

42%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was attributed" is a versatile phrase used to indicate the source of information, ideas, or events. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is appropriate for use in written English. Its prevalence in science, news, and formal business contexts highlights its utility across various disciplines. The phrase's grammatical correctness, high source quality, and consistent usage further contribute to its reliability in both academic and general writing. When using "it was attributed", remember to be specific about the source to enhance clarity and credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was credited

Focuses on giving recognition or praise to someone.

it was ascribed

Implies assigning a quality or characteristic to someone or something.

it was assigned

Suggests a more formal or official allocation of something.

it was blamed

Indicates that someone or something was held responsible for a negative outcome.

it was traced

Highlights the process of finding the origin or cause of something.

the origin was

Shifts the focus to the starting point or beginning of something.

the source was

Emphasizes the origin from where something came.

it stemmed from

Suggests that something originated or developed from a particular source or cause.

it derived from

Highlights the process of obtaining something from a source.

it was linked to

Implies a connection or association between two things.

FAQs

How can I use "it was attributed" in a sentence?

Use "it was attributed" to indicate the source or origin of a statement, idea, or work. For example, "The discovery "it was attributed" to Dr. Smith".

What are some alternatives to "it was attributed"?

You can use alternatives like "it was credited", "it was ascribed", or "it was assigned" depending on the specific context.

What's the difference between "it was attributed" and "it was believed"?

"It was attributed" implies a specific source or reason is given, while "it was believed" suggests a general acceptance without necessarily knowing the origin. For example, "The success "it was attributed" to hard work", versus "The rumor "it was believed" by many people".

Is it better to use "it was attributed to" or name the source directly?

Naming the source directly is often clearer and more impactful, but ""it was attributed" to" is useful when the source is less important than the fact of attribution. For instance, "The error was due to a miscalculation" is stronger than ""it was attributed" to a miscalculation by a junior staff member" if the focus is on the error itself.