should be attributed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "should be attributed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the source or credit of information, ideas, or works, indicating that something should be recognized as belonging to a particular person or entity. Example: "The findings in this report should be attributed to the research conducted by Dr. Smith."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The diameter increase should be attributed to turbulence coagulation.

International Journal of Multiphase Flow

But what legal status should be attributed to their communications?

The Economist

Despite Cosby's invective, it was never clear where that frustration should be attributed.

The New Yorker

He called the hits to earnings "legacy issues" that should be attributed to the former management.

The New York Times

Any errors in fact or interpretation should be attributed to the author and the editors.

Stanford University

Now archaeologists suspect that they should be attributed to modern humans.

The New York Times - Science

The switching should be attributed to the composition modulation of the conduction channel(s).

Nature

The much enhanced PCE should be attributed to the simultaneously improved Voc, Jsc and FF.

Organic Electronics

This should be attributed to the increase of martensitic transformation temperature under compression.

Journal of Alloys and Compounds

This phenomenon should be attributed to the NWs surface rearrangement during the annealing process.

Electrochimica Acta

These effects should be attributed to partial molar surface area, surface tension and its temperature coefficient.

Electrochimica Acta

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "should be attributed", ensure that the source or reason you are attributing to is clearly and accurately identified. Vague attributions weaken the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "should be attributed" excessively, as it can make your writing sound passive and less direct. Consider rephrasing to use an active voice where appropriate, for instance, "researchers attribute this to..."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "should be attributed" functions as a passive construction used to indicate that something ought to be assigned, credited, or considered as originating from a specific source. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

51%

News & Media

32%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "should be attributed" is a grammatically sound and frequently used construction, particularly in academic and scientific writing, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It serves the purpose of assigning credit, responsibility, or origin to a specific source. While versatile, it's crucial to ensure clarity and accuracy when using this phrase, avoiding overuse of passive voice to maintain a direct and engaging writing style. Alternatives like "should be credited" or "can be ascribed to" can provide nuance depending on the context. By using this phrase thoughtfully, writers can maintain both accuracy and clarity in their work.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

should be credited

Replaces "attributed" with "credited", emphasizing recognition of achievement or contribution.

should be assigned

Substitutes "attributed" with "assigned", focusing on allocation or designation.

can be ascribed

Uses "ascribed" instead of "attributed", implying a degree of uncertainty or inference in the assignment.

may be traced to

Replaces the entire phrase to indicate origin or cause in a more indirect way.

is accountable to

Shifts the focus to accountability or responsibility, rather than simple attribution.

stems from

Uses a different verb to indicate origin or source, often implying a causal relationship.

is a result of

Indicates consequence or effect, rather than direct attribution.

is due to

Indicates that something is caused by something else.

is linked to

Implies a connection or association, without necessarily indicating direct causation or attribution.

is associated with

Suggests a correlation or connection, but not necessarily a direct cause-and-effect relationship.

FAQs

How do I use "should be attributed" in a sentence?

Use "should be attributed" when you want to indicate that something, such as a result, a quote, or a piece of work, needs to be credited or assigned to a specific source. For example, "The success of the project should be attributed to the team's hard work."

What's the difference between "should be attributed" and "can be attributed"?

"Should be attributed" implies a stronger sense of obligation or correctness in assigning credit, whereas "can be attributed" suggests a possibility or an option for assigning credit.

What are some alternatives to "should be attributed"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "should be credited", "can be ascribed to", or "can be traced to" as alternatives to "should be attributed".

When is it appropriate to use "should be attributed" in academic writing?

In academic writing, use "should be attributed" when you need to accurately cite or credit a particular finding, theory, or idea to its original source to maintain academic integrity and avoid plagiarism.