not attributable to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not attributable to" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something should not be credited or blamed for a particular outcome or action. Example: The company's success is not solely attributable to the CEO's leadership, but also to the hard work and dedication of the entire team.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

People tend to attribute things to pure achievement that are, in fact, not attributable to achievement.

The New Yorker

"It's not attributable to one season.

The New York Times

"It's not attributable to rust," Pennington said.

The New York Times - Sports

Doors opening on moving trains are not attributable to conductors.

The New York Times

These stalls are not attributable to the natural business cycle.

Yale University

One neonatal death, not attributable to myasthenia, was recorded.

European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology

Yet the shift is not attributable to Iraq alone.

The Washington Post

They think it's a systemic problem not attributable to a single group.

The Guardian

"Other sites or social media accounts are not attributable to the M5S," Grillo said.

The Guardian

Common Law is not attributable to this criminal wanted by the world.

University of California, Berkeley

Large CSF volume not attributable to ventricular volume in schizotypal personality disorder.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Be cautious of using "not attributable to" in contexts where a simpler phrase like "not due to" would suffice. Clarity and conciseness are often preferable.

Common error

Avoid assuming that if something is "not attributable to" one factor, it must automatically be attributable to another specific factor without sufficient evidence. There might be other unknown or unmeasured causes at play.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not attributable to" functions as a negative causal connector. It is used to explicitly deny a cause-and-effect relationship between two things. Ludwig's examples show it connecting effects or conditions to factors that are explicitly ruled out as causes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

52%

News & Media

27%

Academia

21%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not attributable to" serves as a formal and scientific tool to explicitly deny a causal relationship. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's grammatically sound and frequently used in academic, scientific, and news contexts. When writing, be sure to clearly specify what is not the cause, and consider offering alternative explanations when possible. Avoid the common mistake of assuming one specific cause simply because another has been ruled out. By mastering the use of "not attributable to", you enhance the precision and clarity of your writing, especially in fields that demand careful analysis of cause and effect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not due to

Emphasizes the absence of a direct cause.

not because of

A more direct way of denying a cause.

not caused by

Directly states that something did not cause an event.

not a result of

Highlights that an outcome wasn't produced by a specific factor.

not a consequence of

Similar to 'not a result of', but often implies a more significant outcome.

not linked to

Indicates there is no connection or association.

not associated with

Suggests no correlation between two things.

not related to

A general way of saying two things are not connected.

not connected to

Similar to 'not related to', but can imply a more physical connection.

cannot be ascribed to

Formally denies that something can be credited or blamed.

FAQs

How can I use "not attributable to" in a sentence?

You can use "not attributable to" to indicate that a particular cause is not responsible for a specific effect. For example: "The decline in sales was "not attributable to" the new marketing campaign."

What are some alternatives to "not attributable to"?

You can use alternatives like "not due to", "not caused by", or "not related to" depending on the context.

Is it more formal to say "not attributable to" than "not due to"?

Yes, "not attributable to" is generally considered more formal than "not due to". Choose the phrase that best suits the tone of your writing.

What's the difference between "not attributable to" and "not related to"?

"Not attributable to" specifically denies a causal relationship, while "not related to" simply indicates that there is no association or connection.