this was attributable to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this was attributable to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is the result of or caused by a specific factor or reason. Example: "The project's success was attributable to the team's hard work and dedication."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This was attributable to a number of reasons.

Encyclopedia Britannica

An AEP official told me that much of this was attributable to demand from data centers.

The New York Times - Tech

How much of this was attributable to the playing of the Vermeer Quartet is hard to say.

The New York Times - Arts

Much of this was attributable to the Chinese New Year holiday, when factories traditionally shut down.

Independent

The Lansing charity's pledge losses had increased in recent years, but the leadership believed that this was attributable to the economic downturn and corporate consolidation.

The New York Times

This was attributable to their already having a significant assemblage of top research-and-development personnel and an established position in handling government business.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In part this was attributable to a breakdown in the administration; kings could no longer maintain a specialized machinery for the assessment and collection of the grain tax and other land taxes.

Encyclopedia Britannica

She was unclear whether this was attributable to the newly-appointed deputy foreign minister of the Vatican, Mgr Ettore Balestrero, whom she described as "relatively inexperienced", adding that "this would not be the first time he has complicated Vatican foreign relations".

The Guardian

This was attributable to a continual regeneration of sCT from Lipeo-sCT.

European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

This was attributable to the Fab arms engaging TLR4 while the Fc simultaneously engaged FcγRI on the same cell.

Protein & Cell

This study aimed to determine whether this was attributable to verbal information processing and/or response inhibition deficits.

Personality and Individual Differences

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "this was attributable to", ensure that the relationship between the cause and effect is clear and supported by evidence.

Common error

Avoid using "this was attributable to" without clearly specifying what "this" refers to. Ensure the subject is unambiguous to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this was attributable to" functions as a causal connector, indicating that a particular outcome or situation is the result of a specific cause or reason. It is used to establish a cause-and-effect relationship, as evidenced by the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

63%

News & Media

18%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "this was attributable to" is a grammatically sound and frequently used causal connector, predominantly found in scientific, news, and encyclopedia contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage for establishing cause-and-effect relationships. While it's a versatile phrase, consider clarity and context to avoid vagueness and choose appropriate alternatives like "this was due to" or "this resulted from" to best fit the tone and formality of your writing. It's important to note that while widely accepted, the phrase is better suited for formal and neutral registers, less so for informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this was due to

This is a more common and slightly less formal alternative.

this was caused by

This is a direct and straightforward alternative emphasizing causation.

this resulted from

This alternative uses a different verb to indicate causation.

this stemmed from

This alternative implies an origin or root cause.

this was a consequence of

This alternative highlights the outcome or effect of something.

this was brought about by

This alternative emphasizes the action that caused the result.

this arose from

This alternative suggests the cause emerged or appeared from something.

this can be explained by

This alternative offers an explanation or justification.

the reason for this was

This alternative directly states the reason or cause.

this is ascribable to

This is a more formal and less common alternative.

FAQs

How can I use "this was attributable to" in a sentence?

Use "this was attributable to" to explain the cause of a specific event or condition. For example, "The project's delay was attributable to unexpected resource constraints."

What can I say instead of "this was attributable to"?

You can use alternatives like "this was due to", "this resulted from", or "this was caused by".

Is it more formal to say "this was attributable to" than "this was due to"?

"This was attributable to" is generally considered more formal than "this was due to", but both are acceptable in professional writing.

What is the difference between "this was attributable to" and "this was a result of"?

"This was attributable to" emphasizes the cause or reason, while "this was a result of" emphasizes the effect or outcome. They are similar, but the focus differs slightly. Consider using "this was a result of" when you want to highlight the consequence.