a major benefactor of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a major benefactor of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that provides significant support or funding to a person, organization, or cause. Example: "The university announced that it received a generous donation from a major benefactor of its scholarship program."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

He was a major benefactor of several important charitable causes.

The New York Times

He's a major benefactor of the Greek Orthodox Church.

The New York Times

In addition, he was a major benefactor of the Irish Studies Program.

The New York Times

Dunne was also, in secret, a major benefactor of the Irish Prime Minister Charles Haughey.

The Guardian

She became a vigorous supporter, a mentor and a major benefactor of the library.

The New York Times

An active participant in alumni activities and a major benefactor of the School, Mr. Lauterstein established the Lauterstein Scholars Program.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

Saudi Arabia is a major benefactor to some of the rebels, whose ranks are dominated by Sunnis.

Los Angeles Times

He said to Boeing and other big corporations that "if you've been a major benefactor for a number of years from a subsidy that has been declared illegal, and that subsidy is stopped, you have to accept that".

The New York Times

Before the trial began, Mr. Vilar blamed his high profile as a major benefactor for drawing the attention of prosecutors.

The New York Times - Arts

He is a major benefactor to Cornell, endowing the directorship of Institute for the Social Sciences in 2005 and the Hans Bethe House's Dale R. Corson House Professor-Deanship in 2009.

Cornell University

The S.E.C. has become a major benefactor to whistle-blowers under a provision of the Dodd-Frank Act that requires it to pay at least 10 percent, and as much as 30 percent, of any penalty of over $1 million for information that helps to prove a violation.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use this phrase to highlight individuals or organizations that have played a pivotal role in supporting a particular cause, institution, or project.

Common error

Avoid using "a major benefactor of" for minor or one-time contributions. Reserve this phrase for entities that provide substantial, ongoing support.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a major benefactor of" functions as a noun phrase that identifies an entity providing significant support or resources to another entity. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in describing individuals, organizations, or even abstract concepts that provide essential aid.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Academia

19%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Science & Research

8%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a major benefactor of" is a phrase used to denote a significant provider of support, often financial, to an entity or cause. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent use across diverse contexts, including news, academia, and encyclopedias. While the phrase conveys a neutral-to-formal tone, indicating respect and acknowledgement, it is crucial to reserve its usage for substantial, sustained contributions. Alternatives like "a significant contributor to" or "a key supporter of" can provide less formal options. When using "a major benefactor of", ensure accuracy to maintain credibility. Recognizing common errors such as overstating contributions further refines its application. Therefore, appropriate employment of this phrase necessitates consideration of context, audience, and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant contributor to

Replaces "major benefactor" with "significant contributor", focusing on the act of contributing rather than the role of benefactor.

a key supporter of

Substitutes "major benefactor" with "key supporter", highlighting the act of providing support.

a primary sponsor of

Replaces "benefactor" with "sponsor", emphasizing financial support or endorsement.

a leading patron of

Uses "leading patron" instead of "major benefactor", suggesting sustained support and involvement.

a principal donor to

Replaces "benefactor" with "donor", highlighting monetary contributions.

a vital source of funding for

Focuses on the provision of funding, changing "benefactor" to "source of funding".

instrumental in the success of

Shifts focus to the positive impact of the support, rather than the supporter themselves.

a major financial backer of

Highlights the financial aspect of the support, replacing "benefactor" with "financial backer".

heavily invested in

Implies a significant commitment of resources, not necessarily just financial.

a consistent provider for

Emphasizes the ongoing nature of the support.

FAQs

How can I use "a major benefactor of" in a sentence?

You can use "a major benefactor of" to describe someone or something that provides significant support or funding. For example: "The university recognized Mr. Smith as "a major benefactor of" their scholarship program."

What's a less formal way to say "a major benefactor of"?

Less formal alternatives include phrases like "a key supporter of" or "a significant contributor to", which convey similar meanings without the formality of "benefactor".

Is it correct to use "a major benefactor to" instead of "a major benefactor of"?

The correct preposition to use is "of". "A major benefactor to" is grammatically incorrect. Always use ""a major benefactor of"".

What's the difference between ""a major benefactor of"" and "a major beneficiary of"?

"A major benefactor of" is someone who gives substantial support, while "a major beneficiary of" is someone who receives substantial benefits. They represent opposite roles in a supportive relationship.