a donation

USAGE SUMMARY

"a donation" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It refers to giving or contributing money, goods, or services to a person or organization in need. Example: "I made a donation of $50 to the local animal shelter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

This is a donation.

The Guardian - Sport

Send in a donation.

The New York Times

And a donation?

The New Yorker

A donation is requested.

The New York Times

The leukemia society wanted a donation?

The New York Times

We got off without giving a donation.

The New York Times

Students have also organized a donation drive.

The New York Times

I asked him for a donation.

The New Yorker

"Everyone has made a donation," said Vidho Ratna.

The Guardian

Entrance was free; a donation, encouraged.

The New York Times - Travel

To make a donation, visit this page.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When acknowledging "a donation", express sincere gratitude and explain how it will make a difference.

Common error

Don't use "a donation" interchangeably with terms like 'investment' or 'payment' if the context involves expected returns or contractual obligations, as "a donation" implies a voluntary and selfless act.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a donation" primarily functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb (e.g., 'make', 'give', 'receive'). It refers to the act of giving something, usually money or goods, to a person or organization, often for charitable purposes. Ludwig AI confirms this is a common and correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Formal & Business

23%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a donation" is a grammatically sound and commonly used noun phrase, indicating the act of giving to a cause or organization. Ludwig AI confirms this is correct. It appears most frequently in news and media, as well as formal business contexts. When using "a donation", clarity about the purpose is crucial, and it should not be confused with terms implying contractual obligations. Alternative phrases include "a contribution" or "a gift", depending on the nuance desired.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a contribution

Replaces 'donation' with a synonym emphasizing the act of giving.

a gift

Emphasizes the voluntary and often personal nature of the giving.

a charitable contribution

Adds the specification that the contribution is for charitable purposes.

a financial gift

Highlights the monetary aspect of the donation.

an offering

Suggests a more formal or religious context of giving.

a handout

Implies a more direct form of assistance, often to individuals in need.

a grant

Suggests a formal allocation of funds, typically by an organization.

a subsidy

Refers to financial assistance, often from a government, to support an enterprise.

a bequest

Indicates a donation made through a will.

an endowment

Suggests a donation that provides a sustainable income source.

FAQs

How can I use "a donation" in a sentence?

You can use "a donation" to describe the act of giving to a cause, as in "We received "a donation" of toys" or to request funds, such as "We are asking for "a donation" to help support our programs".

What are some synonyms for "a donation"?

Alternatives to "a donation" include "a contribution", "a gift", or "an offering", each carrying slightly different connotations depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "make a donation" or "give a donation"?

Both "make "a donation"" and "give "a donation"" are correct and commonly used. The choice depends on personal preference and the specific context.

What's the difference between "a donation" and "a sponsorship"?

"A donation" is typically given without expectation of direct return, whereas "a sponsorship" often involves a reciprocal arrangement, such as advertising or recognition, in exchange for financial support.