How to use "attributable to"?

Question

Hi there,

Can anyone tell me how to use the word "attributable to"? Sample sentence will also help in explanation.

Answer 1

Lung cancer is often attributable to smoking.

Answer 2

(The Homework Help section will usually garner more answers to questions about actual studies.)

That aside, attribute with the suffix -able (attributable) is an adjective, and cannot be used as such to modify a preposition (to). For example, it'd be like using 'blue to' or 'astute to'. As a verb (attribute, attributing, attributed)  it can be used with an object:

'to attribute a characteristic to a person'

'attributed to a person a characteristic'

'Attributing a characteristic to a person'.

Additionally, 'attribute' (here a noun) would be used to define a word that particularizes a certain object (a BLUE shirt, attributing the color blue to the shirt).

Hope that helps!