What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
impute
Example
The company imputed the loss to poor management. [imputed: past tense]
Example
She imputed her success to hard work and dedication. [imputed: past participle]
attribute
Example
I attribute my love of music to my parents. [attribute: verb]
Example
The success of the project was attributed to the hard work of the team. [attributed: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Attribute is more commonly used than impute in everyday language. Attribute is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while impute is less common and often used in legal or formal contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between impute and attribute?
Both impute and attribute can be used in formal or informal contexts, but impute is more commonly used in legal or formal contexts due to its negative connotation.
