a principal contribution

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a principal contribution" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the main or most significant input or impact someone or something has made in a particular context, such as research, projects, or discussions. Example: "Her research provided a principal contribution to the understanding of climate change effects on biodiversity."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

His work in France is recognized as a principal contribution to the first significant, wholly secular movement in French painting, the Fontainebleau style.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The analysis of the fluorescence data by Benesi Hildebrand plot shows that MB forms 1 1 complex with G9. Results from spectroscopic experiments, Stern-Volmer and van't Hoff plots are consistent with a principal contribution of the static quenching on the overall quenching mechanism and with the electrostatic binding mode of MB-single stranded G9 system.

Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology A: Chemistry

Pitch motion of the pelvis, possibly accompanied by longitudinal and shear deformations of the tissue underneath the pelvis, was found to occur near the resonance frequency range, but did not appear to make a principal contribution to the resonance observed in the apparent mass.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

These authors found that DNA flexibility makes a principal contribution as to whether or not partial elastic unwrapping of the nucleosome occurs at forces in this range.

eLife

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Gore finally ruled it out, in the summer of 1991, following a family vacation, and Tipper called his decision a "gift".....Tipper Gore's principal contribution to the Administration has been as the President's mental-health policy adviser, a job that Clinton asked her to take on after she told him about her mother's depression.

The New Yorker

Our principal contribution is an "eigenspace of spinning-images", i.e., a model of the environment which successfully exploits some of the specific properties of panoramic images in order to efficiently calculate the optimal subspace in terms of principal components analysis (PCA) of a set of training snapshots without actually decomposing the covariance matrix.

Robotics and Autonomous Systems

Denison's principal contribution was a novel gravity escapement that imparted unprecedented accuracy to the clock.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In 1973 the European Space Research Organisation (which became the European Space Agency [ESA] in 1975) suggested it develop a "Research and Applications Module" as its principal contribution to space shuttle operations.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The model predicts that the phonon scattering associated with the elastic field around a point defect makes the principal contribution to the reduction of the thermal conductivity for these compositions.

Acta Materialia

In 1851, in association with Sir George Airy (then astronomer royal) and the clock maker Edward John Dent, Denison undertook the design of the clock for the tower of the Houses of Parliament; Denison's principal contribution was a novel gravity escapement that imparted unprecedented accuracy to the clock.

Encyclopedia Britannica

While this approach must be supplemented with further details (including, perhaps, a resort to a baseline to distinguish threats from offers), its principal contribution is its reliance on "practical imperatives".

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a principal contribution", ensure that you clearly identify what is being contributed to and its importance. Provide context to highlight the significance of the contribution.

Common error

Avoid using "a principal contribution" when the contribution is minor or secondary. Ensure the contribution genuinely plays a crucial role in the overall outcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a principal contribution" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies the most important or significant element that contributes to a particular outcome or area. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

Encyclopedias

25%

News & Media

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a principal contribution" is a noun phrase used to highlight the most significant element contributing to a specific outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and suitability for various writing contexts, including science, encyclopedias and news. While it is often found in formal or scientific settings, alternative phrases like "a major contribution" or "a key contribution" can offer subtle differences in emphasis. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the substantial role of the contribution in question.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a major contribution

Emphasizes the substantial size or importance of the contribution.

a key contribution

Highlights the essential or crucial nature of the contribution.

a significant contribution

Stresses the noteworthy or considerable aspect of the contribution.

a notable contribution

Suggests the contribution is worthy of attention or recognition.

a substantial contribution

Focuses on the significant amount or degree of the contribution.

an important contribution

Indicates the contribution holds considerable value or consequence.

a primary contribution

Similar in meaning, but 'primary' can also suggest sequence or order of importance.

a leading contribution

Implies the contribution is at the forefront or sets an example.

a central contribution

Indicates the contribution is vital to the core or center of something.

a critical contribution

Emphasizes the contribution's decisiveness or crucial role.

FAQs

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

You can use "a principal contribution" to highlight the most significant aspect of someone or something's impact. For example, "Her research was a principal contribution to the field of oncology."

What are some alternatives to "a principal contribution"?

Alternatives include "a major contribution", "a key contribution", or "a significant contribution". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "principal contribution" or "main contribution"?

"Principal contribution" implies the most important or leading contribution, while "main contribution" simply suggests the primary one. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the importance or just the primary role. Both are generally acceptable.

Can "a principal contribution" be used in formal and informal contexts?

While generally suitable for formal contexts, "a principal contribution" can also be used in neutral or slightly informal settings. The key is to ensure the level of formality matches the overall tone of your writing.