to be attributed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be attributed" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is ascribed or assigned to a particular source, cause, or person. Example: "The success of the project can be attributed to the hard work and dedication of the entire team."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Vital properties therefore had to be attributed to a specific kind of matter confined to living beings, the organic molecules.

SEP

It's too deep to be attributed to clear sources.

The New Yorker

It is something to be attributed, not achieved.

The Guardian - Opinion

There is a huge amount of blame to be attributed to them.

The Guardian - Film

Some of that has to be attributed to the iPhone's success.

The New York Times

That it did not succeed is to be attributed to Alfred's tenacity.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Despite investigation there is so far nothing whatever to show to whom the outrage is to be attributed.

The Guardian

(The success of The Pursuit of Happyness tended to be attributed to the failsafe box-office appeal of Will Smith).

The Guardian - Film

And the few negative judgments that creep into the guide tend to be attributed to mysterious groups of people.

The New York Times

In other words, researchers tend to attribute to twins' genes what ought to be attributed to their peculiar shared environment.

The Guardian

The researchers said this was most likely to be attributed to the growing violence within the adolescent peer group.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to be attributed", ensure that the connection between the subject and the attributed source is clear and logically supported by evidence. Avoid making unsubstantiated claims of causation.

Common error

Avoid using "to be attributed" when the relationship is merely a correlation rather than a direct cause. Instead, use phrases like "to be associated with" or "to be linked to" to indicate a weaker connection.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be attributed" functions as a passive infinitive verb phrase. It's used to indicate that something is capable of being assigned or credited to a particular source or cause, as exemplified by Ludwig's numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

66%

News & Media

29%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to be attributed" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to indicate the assignment of a cause, origin, or characteristic. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and widespread use across various domains, particularly in science and news. When using this phrase, ensure that the connection is clear and logical, avoiding overstatements of causation. Alternatives such as "to be credited" or "to be ascribed" may offer subtle nuances to better suit the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be credited

Focuses on giving recognition or praise, shifting the emphasis from mere causation to acknowledgment of merit.

to be ascribed

Similar to "attributed", but often implies a degree of uncertainty or conjecture in the assignment of a cause or characteristic.

to be assigned

Suggests a more formal or deliberate allocation of responsibility or origin.

to be due to

Directly expresses causation, indicating that something is caused or influenced by something else.

to be linked to

Emphasizes a connection or association between two things, often implying a causal relationship.

to be a consequence of

Highlights the cause-and-effect relationship, emphasizing that one thing is a direct result of another.

to be blamed on

Specifically assigns fault or responsibility for something negative.

to be the result of

Focuses on the outcome or consequence of a particular cause.

to stem from

Indicates that something originates or arises from a particular source or cause.

to be down to

Informal way of saying that something is caused by or depends on a particular factor.

FAQs

What does "to be attributed" mean?

The phrase "to be attributed" means to assign something as being caused, created, or possessed by a particular person or thing. It indicates a relationship of cause and effect or origin.

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

You can use "to be attributed" to indicate the cause or origin of something. For example: "The success of the project can "be attributed to" the team's hard work."

What are some alternatives to "to be attributed"?

Alternatives to "to be attributed" include phrases like "to be credited to", "to be ascribed to", "to be assigned to", or "to be linked to" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "the success is attributed to" or "the success is to be attributed to"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "the success is "attributed to"" is more concise and common. "The success is "to be attributed to"" is also valid but can sound slightly more formal or emphatic.