Which word means to regard something as caused by someone or something?

• A. Attribute
• B. Ascribe
• C. Credit
• D. Blame

Answer: (A)

The idea being tested is choosing the verb that expresses assigning a cause to something. Attribute fits because it means to regard something as caused by someone or something, and you can say that a result is attributed to a particular source.

Ascribe is similar but more formal and often used in academic or literary contexts, sometimes with qualities or authorship, rather than everyday statements of cause. Credit involves recognizing contribution or earning; you can credit someone with a result, but it isn’t the most direct way to say you view something as caused by them. Blame focuses on fault and responsibility for a negative outcome, which isn’t the neutral sense of simply identifying a cause.

So, attribute is the best fit for expressing that something is caused by a particular person or thing.