primarily attributed to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "primarily attributed to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the main cause or source of something, often in academic or analytical contexts. Example: "The increase in global temperatures is primarily attributed to human activities such as burning fossil fuels."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The loss was primarily attributed to a one-time charge on the sale of its fixed-line business to the American investment group, Ripplewood Holdings.

The New York Times

Peaks in the chemical shift range (10 to -10 ppm) are primarily attributed to P esters.

Geochemical Transactions

This was primarily attributed to the premature detachment of the sand coating from the rebar core.

International Journal of Concrete Structures and Materials

The precipitation change associated with TCs is primarily attributed to the perturbation difference.

Progress in Earth and Planetary Science

For example, the anti-aging effects of resveratrol are primarily attributed to SIRT1 activation.

Protein & Cell

This improvement is primarily attributed to a more homogeneous dispersion of MCC in the matrix.

Chemical Engineering Science

This decrease is primarily attributed to projected improvements in vehicle technology.

Sustainable Cities and Society

This improvement was primarily attributed to a reduction in side flow and material microstructural effects.

Precision Engineering

"The iPad drop is primarily attributed to the introduction and volume shift to the smaller iPad mini," ABI notes.

TechCrunch

Summer flow decreased after the 1980s which was also primarily attributed to the decrease in precipitation.

Journal of Hydrology

The goodwill was primarily attributed to increased synergies that are expected to be achieved from the integration of NDS.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "primarily attributed to" to clearly identify the main factor contributing to a particular outcome or situation. This ensures clarity and focus in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "primarily attributed to" when the cause is only partially responsible. Ensure the factor you're highlighting is genuinely the dominant one, not just a contributing factor.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "primarily attributed to" functions as a causal connector, linking an effect to its primary cause. As demonstrated by Ludwig's examples, it is used to pinpoint the main reason something has occurred. The Ludwig AI confirms the phrase to be grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

74%

News & Media

20%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "primarily attributed to" serves as a robust causal connector, frequently employed to emphasize the main cause behind a particular phenomenon. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and enjoys widespread use, especially within scientific and journalistic domains. Usage patterns reveal that it predominantly appears in scientific contexts (74%), followed by news and media (20%), and then in formal business settings (6%). While it is perfectly acceptable to use, writers should ensure that the cause being identified is, in fact, the primary one. Alternatives include "mainly ascribed to", "chiefly caused by", and "principally due to". In essence, "primarily attributed to" helps clearly articulate the key factors driving specific outcomes, contributing to enhanced clarity and focus in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

principally due to

"Principally" suggests the most important factor, while "due to" indicates causality.

mainly ascribed to

Focuses on the act of assigning a cause or characteristic; "ascribed" implies a degree of subjectivity or interpretation.

primarily a result of

Focuses on the consequence or outcome, rather than the cause itself.

chiefly caused by

Emphasizes the element of causation and is more direct and forceful.

predominantly owing to

"Owing to" is a more formal way of expressing causation.

largely credited to

Highlights the idea of giving recognition or acknowledgement for a particular outcome.

largely the product of

Indicates that something is the result of a process or influence.

mostly on account of

Uses a more informal idiom to indicate the reason for something.

fundamentally stems from

Implies that the origin or root cause is the main driver.

basically arises from

Suggests a foundational or underlying cause.

FAQs

How can I use "primarily attributed to" in a sentence?

You can use "primarily attributed to" to indicate the main cause or reason behind a particular event or phenomenon. For example, "The decline in sales was primarily attributed to the economic downturn."

What are some alternatives to "primarily attributed to"?

You can use alternatives such as "mainly ascribed to", "chiefly caused by", or "principally due to", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "primarily attributed by" instead of "primarily attributed to"?

No, the correct phrasing is "primarily attributed to". The preposition "to" indicates the recipient or the effect of the attribution, whereas "by" would indicate the agent doing the attributing.

What's the difference between "primarily attributed to" and "secondarily attributed to"?

"Primarily attributed to" indicates the main or most significant cause, while "secondarily attributed to" refers to a less significant or contributing cause. Using both helps to differentiate between major and minor factors influencing an outcome.