a critical contribution

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a critical contribution" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the importance of someone's input or effort in a particular context, such as a project or discussion. Example: "Her research provided a critical contribution to our understanding of climate change."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

However ephemeral their exhibitions, nonprofit galleries still make a critical contribution to the art market.

The New York Times - Arts

"The bases and host nation support that Japan provides are a critical contribution to the alliance.

The New York Times

France, a core nation of Europe alongside Germany, can make a critical contribution.

The Washington Post

The paper describes this as a critical contribution from agriculture to economic growth.

Stanford University

CCS is a technology that has the potential to make a critical contribution to tackling climate change.

The Guardian

We hope this research programme will make a critical contribution to the evidence to support an effective policy response".

The Guardian

"To begin with, the message was to make a critical contribution on the dog theme, but it took another direction," Vilks told Associated Press in 2007.

The Guardian

As a minister who trained many activists in nonviolent resistance, James Lawson made a critical contribution to the civil rights movement.

Stanford University

This was a critical contribution to the reduction of the immunity gap among Muslim and Hindu children in Uttar Pradesh's western region.

The Economist

In addition to ethical and legal venues, the neuropsychological profile provides a critical contribution to help determine competency before decision-making and judgment go awry.

The New York Times

Jackson, 29, caught six passes against St . Louisfor 142 yards, a critical contribution for a team that had to abandon its four-receiver set because it only had three healthy receivers.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a critical contribution", follow it with a prepositional phrase (e.g., "to the project's success") to clearly specify the area or goal to which the contribution is vital. This adds precision and strengthens the impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "a critical contribution" when a lesser term like "helpful" or "useful" would be more appropriate. Overusing the phrase can dilute its impact and make your writing sound hyperbolic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a critical contribution" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It signifies something essential or indispensable to a particular outcome or situation. Ludwig AI confirms this by providing many examples where the phrase highlights the importance of different elements.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

25%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

15%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a critical contribution" is a versatile phrase used to highlight the essential nature of a component, action, or idea. As validated by Ludwig AI, it functions as a noun phrase and finds frequent application across diverse fields such as science, news, academia, and formal business. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure the contribution is genuinely indispensable to avoid exaggeration. By focusing on precision and clarity, you can effectively convey the significance of the contribution and its impact on the broader context. This phrase serves to stress the importance of something, therefore it is crucial to use it correctly.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

An essential element

Focuses on the necessity of something as a core component.

A vital component

Emphasizes the importance of something for survival or proper functioning.

An indispensable aspect

Highlights something that cannot be done without.

A key factor

Points out an element that significantly influences an outcome.

A major influence

Stresses the significant impact something has on something else.

A significant part

Indicates that something plays an important role, though perhaps not the only one.

A central feature

Draws attention to something's primary importance or focus.

A fundamental aspect

Highlights something as basic and essential.

A pivotal role

Emphasizes that something is crucial and can make or break success.

A notable input

Highlights the importance of a particular addition or element.

FAQs

How can I use "a critical contribution" in a sentence?

Use "a critical contribution" to highlight the essential role or impact of something. For example, "Her research was a critical contribution to our understanding of the disease".

What are some alternatives to saying "a critical contribution"?

You can use alternatives like "an essential element", "a vital component", or "an indispensable aspect" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use "a critical contribution", or are there times when it's too strong?

While "a critical contribution" emphasizes importance, it might be too strong if the contribution is merely helpful or supportive. In such cases, consider using less emphatic alternatives like "a helpful contribution".

What makes a contribution "critical"?

A contribution is considered "critical" when it's indispensable or crucial for achieving a particular goal or outcome. It's something without which success would be impossible or significantly hindered.