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Rank: Advanced Member
Joined: 7/4/2012
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The increase in prices for housing (is, was) attributed to the rising cost of materials used to build the houses.
I think the correct answer is "is". My friend says "was" is the correct option.
May I know who is correct?
Many thanks.
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Rank: Advanced Member
Joined: 9/12/2011
Posts: 30,418
Neurons: 179,538
Location: Livingston, Scotland, United Kingdom
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Hi Koh Elaine.
They are both correct.
It depends when the "attribution" was done - when someone attributed the increase to the rising costs.
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Over the past five years, the price of materials has been increasing.
Over the same time, the cost of houses has been increasing.
Last week a study was done and they attributed the increase in house-prices to the rising cost of materials.
The increase in prices for housing was attributed to the rising cost of materials used to build the houses.
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Over the past five years, the price of materials has been increasing.
Over the same time, the cost of houses has been increasing.
People are looking at these data, and think that the increase in house-prices is related to the rising cost of materials.
The increase in prices for housing is attributed to the rising cost of materials used to build the houses.
Wyrd bið ful aræd - bull!
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Rank: Advanced Member
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edited to change wording I got wrong As drago says, either is correct. I think the past tense of the events described may be the confusing point. But 'increase' has no sense of time - it is just the process. When you make the attribution controls the tense of the verb used. eg If you look at the data again and compare it to the costs in other countries, I predict that the increase in house prices will be attributed to construction workers having too many tea breaks. 
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Rank: Advanced Member
Joined: 9/12/2011
Posts: 30,418
Neurons: 179,538
Location: Livingston, Scotland, United Kingdom
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In Britain, the favourite 'attributions' for rising costs are:
1. The government - they are to blame for everything! (in the view of some people)
2. The workers (and unions) - they are to blame for everything! (in the view of others)
3. Rising costs - which is because Britain is in the EU! (for some people)
4. Rising costs - which is because Britain is leaving the EU! (for others)
EDITED to add: 5. Too many tea-breaks
Wyrd bið ful aræd - bull!
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