mostly attributable to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mostly attributable to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is primarily caused by or linked to a particular factor or reason. Example: "The increase in sales this quarter is mostly attributable to our new marketing strategy."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Attribution of cause varies substantially, with just 10% believing climate change is mostly attributable to human activities.

Environment and Behavior

Yet its reputation for sectarian violence is mostly attributable to one family.

The Economist

Stern would say that growth was mostly attributable to the age of cable and satellite television.

The New York Times - Sports

Many companies raised their returns on equity, but that was mostly attributable to booming economies, in his view, not through improved management expertise and efficiency.

The New York Times

They said the split was instead "mostly" attributable to their desire to "preserve what is beautiful and special about the band and have it stay that way..

The Guardian - Music

And it is not as if CBS has found a magic potion; its move to first place is mostly attributable to standing still while others slide down.

The New York Times

Instead of stimulating new car sales, the spike was mostly attributable to sales that would otherwise have occurred over the subsequent 11 months.

The Economist

Rowena Mason, deputy political editor: The chancellor blames the lower growth forecasts for next year on higher predicted inflation and economic uncertainty, mostly attributable to the vote to leave the EU.

The Guardian

The company, based in Leverkusen, said it booked special charges totaling 139 million euros ($182 million) in the quarter, with 106 million euros ($139 million) of that mostly attributable to the integration of its health care unit with Schering.

The New York Times

The airline said it had a 4.7percentt increase in traffic in first-class and business-class seats, mostly attributable to heavier demand for premium seats on long-haul flights.

The New York Times

It has risen but only by a small amount - looking at the longer term trends shows this is mostly attributable to a large scale reduction in the number of Finns in Sweden!

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "mostly attributable to", ensure that the context clearly indicates that the identified factor is the primary, but not necessarily the exclusive, cause or reason.

Common error

Avoid using "mostly attributable to" when the connection between cause and effect is weak or speculative. Provide evidence to support your claim of primary causation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mostly attributable to" functions as a causal connector, indicating that a particular factor is the primary reason or cause for a specific outcome or situation. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's a correct and usable expression in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

51%

News & Media

47%

Wiki

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "mostly attributable to" is a grammatically sound and frequently used causal connector. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It's employed to indicate that a factor is the primary, though not necessarily exclusive, cause of an outcome, often appearing in scientific and news-related contexts. While similar phrases like "largely due to" and "primarily caused by" exist, "mostly attributable to" offers a specific emphasis on the degree of causation. When using the phrase, ensure that evidence supports the asserted causal relationship to avoid overstating causation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

largely due to

Indicates the cause is significant, with a high degree of influence.

primarily caused by

Highlights the main causal factor.

mainly a result of

Focuses on the outcome or consequence of a particular factor.

chiefly owing to

A more formal alternative emphasizing a significant reason.

principally driven by

Emphasizes the driving force behind an event or trend.

predominantly resulting from

Indicates that the main effect is from something specific.

substantially because of

Focuses on the substantial impact of a particular cause.

largely stems from

Suggests the origin or root cause of a situation.

mostly connected with

Highlights the primary association or connection to a specific factor.

mainly related to

Indicates a primary relationship or association.

FAQs

How can I use "mostly attributable to" in a sentence?

Use "mostly attributable to" to indicate that a particular factor is the primary cause or reason for something. For example, "The company's increased profits are mostly attributable to the new marketing campaign."

What are some alternatives to saying "mostly attributable to"?

You can use alternatives like "largely due to", "primarily caused by", or "mainly a result of" depending on the context.

Is it always necessary to specify the degree of attribution when identifying causes?

While not always necessary, specifying the degree of attribution (e.g., using "mostly", "partially", or "entirely") can provide a more nuanced and accurate representation of the causal relationships.

What's the difference between "mostly attributable to" and "partially attributable to"?

"Mostly attributable to" indicates that the factor is the primary cause, while "partially attributable to" suggests that the factor contributes to the outcome, but is not the main reason.