a key contributor to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a key contributor to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to highlight someone or something that plays an important role in achieving a particular outcome or success. Example: "Her innovative ideas were a key contributor to the project's overall success."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And, of course, its failures were identified as a key contributor to the London bombings.

The Guardian

In 1999-2000, Sykora was a key contributor to the Devils' second Stanley Cup championship.

The New York Times

She said the division would be a "key contributor to our future profitability".

The Guardian - Business

He's also a session guitarist and a key contributor to Scotland's indie scene.

The Guardian - Film

Its repeal was a key contributor to the calamities now gripping the banking system.

The New York Times

This confirmed other research that substance abuse is a key contributor to violent behavior.

Harvard University

High blood pressure (also known as hypertension) is a key contributor to heart attack and stroke.

Harvard University

The Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences is a key contributor to this broader community.

Stanford University

A key contributor to these new data sets is the stunning rise in cell phone adoption.

University of California, Berkeley

With financial services a key contributor to recent economic growth, this will hurt.

The Economist

The fourth-year player is a key contributor to Washington's formidable interior defensive line.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a key contributor to" to highlight specific actions or qualities that lead to a positive result, thereby providing concrete evidence for your claim.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the importance of a factor simply to emphasize its role. Ensure that other contributing elements are also acknowledged to provide a balanced perspective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a key contributor to" functions as a modifier, specifically an adjectival phrase, that identifies and emphasizes the importance of something or someone in relation to a particular outcome or situation. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

23%

News & Media

40%

Academia

23%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

5%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a key contributor to" is a versatile and commonly used expression for highlighting the significant role of someone or something. Ludwig AI analysis confirms that it’s grammatically correct and widely applicable across diverse fields, including science, news, media, and academia. While "a key contributor to" is frequently employed to emphasize importance, it's essential to ensure accurate attribution to avoid exaggerating the importance of any single element. For alternative phrasing, consider options such as "a primary factor in" or "instrumental in" to achieve similar emphasis with slight variations in nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a primary factor in

Replaces "key" with "primary", emphasizing the importance but with a slightly different nuance.

a major element of

Substitutes "contributor" with "element", shifting the focus to a component rather than a person or entity.

instrumental in

Emphasizes the role of being a crucial tool or means to achieve something.

a driving force behind

Highlights the aspect of initiating or propelling something forward.

played a vital role in

Focuses on the action of 'playing' a role, emphasizing activity and participation.

a central figure in

Highlights the importance of a person in a situation.

a significant influence on

Shifts the focus from contribution to influence, suggesting a more indirect effect.

an important part of

Uses a more general term, part, to denote contribution, thus diluting the emphasis.

a leading light in

Emphasizes a guiding or exemplary role.

essential to

Highlights the absolute necessity of something, which may or may not imply contribution.

FAQs

How can I use "a key contributor to" in a sentence?

Use "a key contributor to" to highlight the significant role someone or something plays in achieving a particular outcome. For example, "Innovative technology was "a key contributor to" the company's success".

What are some alternatives to "a key contributor to"?

You can use alternatives like "a primary factor in", "instrumental in", or "a major element of" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "key contributor for" or "key contributor to"?

"Key contributor to" is the correct and idiomatic phrasing. "Key contributor for" is less common and may sound awkward to native English speakers.

What is the difference between "a key contributor to" and "a minor contributor to"?

"A key contributor to" emphasizes a significant and essential role, while "a minor contributor to" suggests a less important or less impactful role. The choice depends on the actual level of impact the subject has on the outcome.