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Prepositions after adjectives

attributable + preposition

Attributable is normally followed by to when stating a cause or source. In may appear as a separate place or context expression.

Quick answer

Which preposition follows attributable?

Use attributable to when explaining the cause, source, or reason for something. Attributable in is not a standard complement pattern, although in can introduce a separate context or location.

The decline was attributable to poor planning.
Most of the noise is attributable to traffic.
The error was attributable in this case to outdated data.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
attributable to + cause

Explaining the reason for something

Use attributable to to identify the source or cause of a result.

The success was attributable to strong teamwork.
Many delays are attributable to weather conditions.
2
partly attributable to + factor

Giving a partial cause

Partly, largely, and mainly often appear before attributable to.

The increase was partly attributable to inflation.
The confusion was largely attributable to unclear instructions.
3
not attributable to + factor

Rejecting a cause

This pattern states that something did not result from a particular factor.

The problem is not attributable to staff shortages.
The damage was not attributable to human error.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
attributable to
The change is attributable to new regulations.
Standard pattern for identifying a cause or source.
attributable in
In the sentence The gains were attributable in part to exports, in part is an adverbial phrase.
In is not the complement selected by attributable here.
attributable in a report
The losses were attributable to fraud in the report.
In the report gives context and does not replace to.

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using in instead of to for causes

Use to after attributable when naming the reason.

✕ The delay was attributable in bad weather. ✓ The delay was attributable to bad weather.

Omitting to

Attributable normally requires to before the cause.

✕ The error was attributable outdated software. ✓ The error was attributable to outdated software.

Confusing location phrases with complements

An in phrase may add context, but the adjective still takes to.

✕ The trend was attributable in Europe. ✓ The trend was attributable to economic changes in Europe.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The improvement was attributable ___ better training.
2. The losses were partly attributable ___ rising costs.
3. Which sentence is correct? ___

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Frequently asked questions

Is attributable to the standard form?

Yes. It is the normal and widely accepted pattern.

Can attributable be followed by in?

Not as its main complement. In may appear separately in adverbial phrases such as in part or in Europe.

What does attributable to mean?

It means caused by, resulting from, or explainable by something.

abhorrent-to-in-for-of, about "ablaze with" or "ablaze in"? "able for" or "able in"? "abreast of" or "abreast with"? "absent from" or "absent in"? absolute in, for, of, to or as? "absurd to", "absurd in" or "absurd for"? abundant in, with, of, on or for? "abusive to", "abusive in" or "abusive towards"? "academic in" or "academic at"? "acceptable to" or "acceptable for"? accessible to, by, for, from or in?

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