这两个动词均有“把……归于”之意。
attribute :指出于相信而把……归于某人或某物,含较多的客观性。
- She attributes her success to hard work and a little luck.
她认为她的成功来自勤劳和一点运气。 - Women tend to attribute their success to external causes such as luck.
女性倾向于将她们的成功归因于外部因素,比如运气。
ascribe :指根据推论或猜想把……归于某人或某物,含主观臆断成分较重。
- This play is usually ascribed to Shakespeare.
通常认为这部剧是莎士比亚所写。 - He ascribed his failure to bad luck.
他认为自己的失败是运气不好。 - He mistakenly ascribes the expression 'survival of the fittest' to Charles Darwin.
他错误地认为“适者生存”是查尔斯·达尔文说的。