thought responsible for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "thought responsible for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the origin or cause of a particular thought or idea. Example: "The philosopher argued that the thought responsible for our actions is shaped by our experiences and environment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

Recently developed pharmacokinetic models provide estimates of internal, target-organ doses of the TCE metabolites thought responsible for these tumor responses.

Environmental Health Perspectives

With deforestation thought responsible for an estimate 17% of carbon emissions, the stakes are high.

The Guardian

Afghan officials have provided the coalition with pictures and videos of the men thought responsible for the abuses, he said.

The New York Times

(Transmission of pathogens from animals to people in this way is also thought responsible for the current Ebola epidemic).

The Economist

That is something like the problem that planetary scientists have had trying to understand the collisions -- between asteroids, not automobiles -- thought responsible for planet formation.

The New York Times - Science

Another commission, made up of "national personalities," would formulate recommendations on dealing with right-wing paramilitary groups, who are generally thought responsible for most massacres.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

F&F is also a curiously old-fashioned franchise; also, I think, responsible for its unexpected longevity.

The Guardian - Film

Who do you think is going to do that?" I asked who he thought was responsible for the current situation.

The New Yorker

But few thought those responsible for the deaths of their loved ones would be held accountable.

The Guardian

I asked one Russian friend who she thought was responsible for Nemtsov's death.

The Guardian

But Zhangsan broke a leg shortly after starting the game, which the speaker thought was responsible for Zhangsan's eventual loss in the game.

Lingua Sinica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "thought responsible for", ensure that the 'thought' aspect is clear; indicate who holds the belief or assigns the responsibility to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify "scientists thought responsible for" or "government thought responsible for."

Common error

Avoid using "thought responsible for" without clearly specifying who is doing the thinking or assigning the responsibility. A sentence like "Mistakes thought responsible for the error" lacks clarity. Instead, say "Analysts thought mistakes responsible for the error were made by junior staff."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "thought responsible for" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun by attributing responsibility or causality based on an opinion or belief. As Ludwig AI confirms, this construction is grammatically sound and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

40%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "thought responsible for" is a common and grammatically sound construction used to attribute responsibility or causality, often based on belief or suspicion. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is usable in written English. Its usage spans various contexts, including news, scientific research, and general discourse. To ensure clarity, explicitly state who holds the belief or assigns the responsibility. Alternative phrases such as "deemed accountable for" or "considered the cause of" can be used depending on the desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Deemed accountable for

Replaces "thought" with "deemed" and "responsible" with "accountable", slightly increasing the formality.

Considered the cause of

Substitutes "responsible" with "cause", directly indicating causality rather than implied responsibility.

Believed to be the reason for

Replaces "responsible" with "reason", making the causal link more explicit.

Attributed to

Uses a more concise phrasing to indicate that something is seen as the origin or cause.

Held liable for

Implies a legal or formal assignment of responsibility.

Implicated in

Suggests involvement or indirect responsibility in a more nuanced way.

Accused of

Indicates blame or accusation for causing something.

Suspected of causing

Implies a lack of definitive proof but a strong belief in responsibility.

Linked to

Highlights a connection or association, often implying a causal relationship.

Indicated as the source of

Formally identifies the origin or cause of something.

FAQs

How can I use "thought responsible for" in a sentence?

Use "thought responsible for" to attribute blame or causality. For example, "The hackers were thought responsible for the data breach."

What's a more formal way to say "thought responsible for"?

Consider alternatives such as "deemed accountable for" or "considered the cause of" for more formal contexts.

Is it correct to say "believed responsible for" instead of "thought responsible for"?

Yes, "believed responsible for" is a perfectly acceptable and often interchangeable alternative to "thought responsible for", though subtle differences in connotation may exist depending on context.

What's the difference between "responsible for" and "thought responsible for"?

"Responsible for" indicates direct accountability, while "thought responsible for" suggests an attributed, but perhaps unproven, accountability.