Impute to
verb
To attribute or ascribe something to somebody or something.
The errors were imputed to our inexperience.
Often appears as...
- impute to negligence
- impute to ignorance
verb
To credit or assign blame to someone or something.
The court imputed his actions to the influence of alcohol.
Often appears as...
- impute to recklessness
- impute to negligence
Usage tips
Formal, Disapproving
Academic
verb
To attribute or ascribe something to somebody or something.
The errors were imputed to our inexperience.
Often appears as...
- impute to negligence
- impute to ignorance
verb
To credit or assign blame to someone or something.
The court imputed his actions to the influence of alcohol.
Often appears as...
- impute to recklessness
- impute to negligence
Usage tips
Formal, Disapproving
Academic
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Implication Nuance
Imputing to implies a hidden reason or underlying cause that's not immediately obvious.
His silence was imputed to nerves, not indifference.
Pro Tip 2/3Passive Voice
'Impute to' is often used in passive sentences to focus on the effect rather than the cause.
The victory was imputed to strategic planning.
Pro Tip 3/3Negative Connotation
Often used to describe assigning blame or errors rather than positive qualities.
The collapse of the talks was imputed to a lack of compromise.
Pro Tip 1/3Implication Nuance
Imputing to implies a hidden reason or underlying cause that's not immediately obvious.
His silence was imputed to nerves, not indifference.
Pro Tip 2/3Passive Voice
'Impute to' is often used in passive sentences to focus on the effect rather than the cause.
The victory was imputed to strategic planning.
Pro Tip 3/3Negative Connotation
Often used to describe assigning blame or errors rather than positive qualities.
The collapse of the talks was imputed to a lack of compromise.
Pro Tip 1/3Implication Nuance
Imputing to implies a hidden reason or underlying cause that's not immediately obvious.
His silence was imputed to nerves, not indifference.
Pro Tip 2/3Passive Voice
'Impute to' is often used in passive sentences to focus on the effect rather than the cause.
The victory was imputed to strategic planning.
Pro Tip 3/3Negative Connotation
Often used to describe assigning blame or errors rather than positive qualities.
The collapse of the talks was imputed to a lack of compromise.
Never forget "Impute to"
Humans forget easily. That's why you should download WordUp: Smart reminders, word games, AI practice, and much more!
WordUp Chrome Extension
As you browse the web instantly look up words you don’t know.
Get Chrome Extension