was attributed by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was attributed by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating the source or origin of a particular idea, statement, or work, often in academic or formal contexts. Example: "The discovery of the new species was attributed by the research team to their extensive fieldwork in the Amazon rainforest."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

One of the ex-directory numbers was attributed by Whittamore to Milly's family home.

The Guardian

Neil Kinnock's failure to attract female voters was attributed by some to his bald pate.

The Economist

The 2013 theft was attributed by the company to be a cause of the breach in April 2015.

The Guardian - Tech

About two years ago Mr. Haworth showed signs of ill-health, which was attributed by his medical attendant to disease of the heart.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The depression she subsequently suffered was attributed by friends to the delayed encounter with her long-lost father, a retired pastry cook.

The Guardian

Defeat to Kisenosato here, in his second bout after the suspension, was attributed by many to lack of fitness and composure after the lay-off.

The Guardian - Sport

The party's better-than-expected performance in the national elections was attributed by many observers to Sonia Gandhi's charisma and vigorous campaigning.

Britannica

The strange weather on this 20 January 2025 was attributed by many to the effects of global warming, which the Obama administration had vainly struggled to slow.

The Guardian - Opinion

Mr. Golab collapsed at work after complaining of dizziness and nausea, and his death was attributed by a local coroner to cyanide poisoning.

The New York Times

The individuals identified were not notified of the breach because the ABS considered it to be "minor", and the matter was attributed by the ABS to human error.

The Guardian

Mr. Kurtz was allowed to return home on May 17, and his wife's death was attributed by the authorities to heart failure.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was attributed by", ensure that the source you are citing is authoritative and credible. This strengthens the validity of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "was attributed by" when you are unsure of the original source. Always verify your information to prevent misrepresenting someone else's work or ideas.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was attributed by" functions as a passive construction used to indicate the source or agent responsible for assigning a particular quality, cause, or origin to something. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and usability. This structure emphasizes what received the attribution rather than the attributor.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

34%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was attributed by" serves as a grammatically sound and versatile phrase for indicating the source or agent of an attribution. According to Ludwig, its high frequency across news, science, and encyclopedic sources underscores its relevance in formal writing. When using this phrase, prioritize source credibility and avoid misattributions. Consider alternatives like "was credited to" or "was ascribed to" to fine-tune your meaning. Keep in mind the distinction from similar phrases like "attributed to" and "caused by" to maintain clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was credited to

This phrase emphasizes the recognition of someone's contribution or achievement.

was ascribed to

This suggests assigning a quality or characteristic to someone or something, often based on inference or belief.

was explained by

Focuses on providing a rationale or understanding for a phenomenon or event.

was assigned by

Indicates a specific designation or allocation made by a particular entity.

was considered due to

This alternative implies that something is regarded as the consequence or effect of a specific factor.

was associated with

This connects something to a particular person or event, implying a relationship but not necessarily direct causation.

was deemed to be the result of

Suggests a formal judgment or conclusion regarding the cause of something.

was blamed on

This phrase indicates that someone or something is held responsible for a negative outcome.

was sourced by

Focuses on the origin or provider of information, ideas, or materials.

was thought to be caused by

Expresses a belief or assumption about the reason for something, often without definitive proof.

FAQs

How do I use "was attributed by" in a sentence?

Use "was attributed by" to indicate who or what is credited with a particular action, idea, or creation. For instance, "The success of the project was attributed by the team to their collaborative efforts."

What can I say instead of "was attributed by"?

You can use alternatives like "was credited to", "was ascribed to", or "was assigned by" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "was attributed by" or "attributed to"?

"Was attributed by" indicates who made the attribution, while "attributed to" indicates the source of the action or idea. For example, "The discovery was attributed to her research" versus "The discovery was attributed by the journal to her research."

What's the difference between "was attributed by" and "was caused by"?

"Was attributed by" implies giving credit or assigning responsibility, while "was caused by" indicates a direct causal relationship. For instance, a failure might be caused by negligence but its blame may be attributed by investigators to the CEO.