originally attributed to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "originally attributed to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the source or origin of a quote, idea, or work, indicating that it was first associated with a particular person or entity. Example: "The famous quote 'To be or not to be' is originally attributed to William Shakespeare."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Originally attributed to Cellini, they are now being rethought as van Tetrode's.

The New York Times - Arts

Alternans was originally attributed to instabilities in transmembrane ion channel dynamics (i.e., the voltage mechanism).

Biophysical Journal

(The Bill Walton Twitter quotation was originally attributed to the real Bill Walton.

The New York Times

Statements originally attributed to Pearson spokesperson Brendan O'Grady should have been attributed to Michael Barber, Pearson's chief education adviser.

The Guardian

It also seems that the heroism originally attributed to Private Lynch may actually have been Sergeant Walters's.

The New York Times

The remark was originally attributed to him by Anthony Hilton, the Evening Standard columnist who used to work closely with Murdoch when he was at the Times.

The Guardian

The six-week-old boy's death on Aug. 31 , 1986 was originally attributed to sudden infant death syndrome, but detectives reopened the case in 1996.

The New York Times

The leak was originally attributed to Theresa but was apparently of enough significance to Ford that he wanted it shut down.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

His death was originally attributed to natural causes but traces of a chemical from the poisonous plant Gelsemium elegans were later found in his stomach.

The Times

Later investigations, however, indicated that other Philadelphia cabinetmakers, producing work of equal quality, were responsible for many pieces originally attributed to him.

Britannica

Mr. Green's death was originally attributed to natural causes after his body was discovered Sunday by friends in his small rented house in west Nashville.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When employing this phrase, always provide evidence or further context to support the reassignment of credit. This strengthens the credibility of your claim and prevents potential misinterpretations.

Common error

Avoid stating that something was "originally attributed to" someone without providing a reliable source or explanation for the correction. Failing to do so weakens your argument and can mislead readers.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "originally attributed to" functions as an attribution marker. It introduces information about the initial, and often subsequently corrected, source or author of a statement, idea, or work. Ludwig examples illustrate the phrase's use in academic, news, and encyclopedic contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

36%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Academia

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "originally attributed to" serves as a valuable tool for indicating the initial, and sometimes incorrect, source of a concept, quote, or creation. Ludwig's examples highlight its versatility across diverse fields like science, news, and encyclopedic entries. The phrase is deemed grammatically sound and widely used, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, with its formality leaning towards neutral to formal registers. Remember to offer supporting evidence when employing this phrase to ensure clarity and strengthen your argument.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

first credited to

Focuses on the act of giving initial recognition or acknowledgement.

initially ascribed to

Emphasizes the act of assigning or imputing something to a source at the outset.

formerly believed to be by

Highlights a change in understanding regarding the creator or source.

once thought to be the work of

Similar to 'formerly believed', but with a stronger connotation of superseded belief.

previously assigned to

Indicates a past association that has since been altered or corrected.

erroneously attributed to

Directly points out an error in the initial attribution.

mistakenly credited to

Similar to 'erroneously attributed', emphasizing the mistake in assigning credit.

assumed at first to be from

Highlights the initial assumption regarding the origin.

thought at one time to be by

Emphasizes that past perspectives on authorship have changed.

once considered to originate with

Indicates a previous understanding of origin that is no longer held.

FAQs

When should I use the phrase "originally attributed to"?

Use "originally attributed to" when discussing the source or origin of a quote, idea, or work, indicating that it was first associated with a particular person or entity. This phrase is particularly useful when the attribution has since been corrected or clarified.

What are some alternatives to saying "originally attributed to"?

You can use alternatives like "first credited to", "initially ascribed to", or "formerly believed to be by" depending on the context.

Is it important to provide evidence when using the phrase "originally attributed to"?

Yes, it's important to provide evidence or further context to support the reassignment of credit when using "originally attributed to". This strengthens the credibility of your claim and prevents potential misinterpretations.

What is the difference between "originally attributed to" and "erroneously attributed to"?

"Originally attributed to" simply indicates the initial attribution, without necessarily implying an error. "Erroneously attributed to" explicitly points out that the initial attribution was a mistake.