was ascribed to

USAGE SUMMARY

"was ascribed to" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is attributed to or credited to someone or something. For example, "The creation of the painting was ascribed to the famous artist."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The decline was ascribed to the national eco nomic slowdown.

The New York Times

The increase was ascribed to cost reductions that increased margins.

The New York Times

In early historical times, severe weather was ascribed to annoyed or malevolent divinities.

Britannica

The trend was ascribed to a dip in insurance, utility and fuel bills in 1998.

The New York Times

Faye's death was ascribed to heart failure, & she was given a Catholic burial.

The New Yorker

This was ascribed to a strong interaction between both solids.

Catalysis Today

This was ascribed to water adsorption onto the resin.

Catalysis Today

The latter was ascribed to the generation of Co0.

Electrochimica Acta

At the time, this bizarre phenomenon was ascribed to the fat load in the GIs' diet.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Initially, blame for the accident was ascribed to the paparazzi photographers who were following the vehicle.

Independent

The amount of time he took for the careful preparation of reports was ascribed to procrastination.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was ascribed to", ensure the subject to which the attribution is made is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. This helps maintain clarity and precision in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "was ascribed to" in situations where a direct cause-and-effect relationship is known. Use it to indicate a belief or attribution, rather than a definitive cause.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was ascribed to" functions as a passive voice construction indicating attribution or causation. As shown by Ludwig, it is used to express that a particular reason, cause, or quality is attributed to something else.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

61%

News & Media

28%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was ascribed to" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression indicating that something is attributed to a specific cause or origin. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and broad applicability across various contexts. Predominantly found in scientific and news-related articles, it serves to explain or interpret events, often implying a degree of subjective assessment. Alternatives like "was attributed to" and "was due to" offer similar meanings, while it's important to ensure clarity and avoid using it when a direct cause is definitively known.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was attributed to

Uses a different verb to convey the same meaning of attributing something to a cause or origin.

was credited to

Implies that someone or something is recognized for an achievement or quality.

was due to

Indicates a direct causal relationship, specifying the reason for something.

was caused by

Focuses on the cause-and-effect relationship, highlighting the reason behind an event.

stemmed from

Suggests that something originated or arose from a particular source or cause.

resulted from

Emphasizes that something happened as a consequence of a specific factor.

originated in

Highlights the source or place where something began or started.

was a consequence of

Indicates that something is a direct result or outcome of a preceding event or condition.

can be explained by

Suggests that something's reasons can be explained by something else, offering a rationale.

was put down to

British English alternative meaning attributed to or blamed on.

FAQs

How can I use "was ascribed to" in a sentence?

You can use "was ascribed to" to indicate that a particular cause, reason, or origin is attributed to something. For example, "The success of the project was ascribed to the team's hard work."

What's the difference between "was ascribed to" and "was attributed to"?

While both phrases are very similar, "was ascribed to" often implies a degree of interpretation or subjective judgment, while "was attributed to" can be used in more objective contexts. The difference is subtle and they're often interchangeable.

What are some alternatives to "was ascribed to"?

You can use alternatives like "was due to", "was caused by", or "resulted from" depending on the specific context.

Is "was ascribed to" formal or informal?

"Was ascribed to" is suitable for both formal and informal writing, though it's more commonly found in formal or academic contexts due to its precise and somewhat sophisticated tone.