a meager contribution

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a meager contribution" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a contribution that is small or insufficient in amount or quality. Example: "Despite his efforts, his donation was just a meager contribution to the overall fundraising goal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The Ministry of Water Resources said this week that it had hired 559 militiamen, a meager contribution to the job of winding down the militias.

The New York Times

The possible mechanism for the self-assembly of 4α-CoIITAPc on GC surface is through the addition of nucleophilic amines to the olefinic bond on the GC surface in addition to a meager contribution from π stacking.

Electrochimica Acta

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

During the Clinton years, our meager contribution to the world's poor dropped by nearly half.

The New York Times

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg is trying to balance his own troubled budget and is looking for ways to cut even the city's meager contribution to the subways.

The New York Times

In fact, analysts say, the success of the whole new line of home and personal computers is far more important to I.B.M. than their meager contribution to the company's revenues would indicate.

The New York Times

But Nash was injured in his second game, symbolic of his meager contributions during a three-year, $28-million 28-million contract

Los Angeles Times

With his meager contributions no longer even remotely related to the mammoth amount of coverage he receives, NFL players have voted him the most overrated player in the league, according to a Sports Illustrated poll that included 180 players.

Huffington Post

Social Security can only provide a meager return on its contributions, since it is funded entirely by those currently working.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Elias had had an affinity for journalism since his youth, and he eked a meager living through his contributions to a number of Lebanese newspapers (al-Bayraq, al-Bayan, an-Nidaa, al-Ma'rad, al-'assifa, Lisan al-hal, al-Joumhour, al-Makshouf and Sawt al-Ahrar), also publishing a great number of journalistic articles on a variety of topics.

Wikipedia

We have a meager budget".

The New York Times

That seemed like a meager return.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a meager contribution", ensure the context clearly indicates why the contribution is considered small or insufficient. Provide a point of comparison to emphasize its limited nature.

Common error

Avoid using "a meager contribution" when the contribution actually has a significant impact. This can create a disconnect between the phrase and the reality, misleading the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a meager contribution" functions as a descriptive phrase, where "meager" modifies the noun "contribution". Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. The adjective "meager" serves to diminish the perceived value or size of the contribution.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a meager contribution" is a phrase used to describe a contribution that is small, insufficient, or insignificant. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in various writing contexts. As shown by Ludwig, the phrase is most frequently encountered in news and media, scientific, and academic sources, indicating a neutral to formal register. When employing this phrase, be mindful of the potential negative connotations and ensure the context supports the assessment of the contribution as limited. Consider related phrases like ""a small offering"" or ""an insignificant donation"" to fine-tune the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a small offering

Replaces "meager" with "small", emphasizing the limited size of the offering.

an insignificant donation

Substitutes "meager" with "insignificant", highlighting the lack of importance of the donation.

a trifling input

Uses "trifling" instead of "meager", suggesting the contribution is of little value.

a paltry amount

Replaces the entire phrase, focusing on the small quantity contributed.

a marginal addition

Indicates that the contribution barely makes a difference.

a limited share

Emphasizes the restricted portion contributed.

a negligible part

Highlights that the contribution is so small it can be ignored.

a minor role

Focuses on the small impact or influence of the contribution.

a minimal effort

Suggests the contribution was made with very little exertion.

a token gesture

Implies the contribution was made to fulfill an obligation rather than being truly meaningful.

FAQs

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

You can use "a meager contribution" to describe something that is small or insufficient in amount or quality. For example, "Despite his best efforts, his donation was only "a meager contribution" to the overall fundraising goal".

What are some alternatives to "a meager contribution"?

Alternatives include "a small offering", "an insignificant donation", or "a trifling input", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "a meager contribution" in formal writing?

Yes, "a meager contribution" is appropriate for formal writing, particularly when discussing limited resources or efforts. However, ensure that the tone aligns with the overall formality of the piece.

What's the difference between "a meager contribution" and "a generous contribution"?

"A meager contribution" describes something small or insufficient, while "a generous contribution" describes something large or substantial. The two phrases are antonyms, representing opposite ends of a spectrum.