a serious contribution

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a serious contribution" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the importance or significance of someone's input or effort in a particular context, such as a project, discussion, or research. Example: "Her research provided a serious contribution to the field of environmental science, influencing future studies."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

"We feel he has made a serious contribution to mathematics".

The New York Times - Science

"Berlusconi gave a serious contribution to this climate," Mr. Sorrentino said.

The New York Times

So raising taxes on the very rich could make a serious contribution to deficit reduction.

The New York Times

Assuming they are correct, they've made a serious contribution to the babbling literature".

The New York Times - Science

Thus she makes a serious contribution to the study of democratization as well as to Latin American history.

Harvard University

We are pleased that Medhat wants to make a serious contribution to the debate on the future of further education.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

And so sadly it seems that creationism and ID will remain strong too, because what sustains them is not any serious contribution to science or theology, but precisely the heat of dispute.

The Guardian - Opinion

Outside powers, for once, have also been mostly helpful— even the neighbours, all of whom had a hand (and several an army) in a five-year regional and civil war that formally ended in 2003 and cost perhaps 4m lives.Yet if the election is to make any serious contribution to resuscitating Congo using the country's fabled mineral wealth progress will be needed on every front.

The Economist

It may attract far more criticism than any serious contribution.

WikiHow

I think we made a very serious contribution to the liberalisation of laws and attitudes.

The Guardian

I think they made a very serious contribution," Dr. Rubin said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a serious contribution" when you want to emphasize the importance and impact of someone's effort or input. For clarity, specify what area the contribution impacts.

Common error

Avoid using "a serious contribution" for minor or insignificant actions. Ensure the contribution genuinely warrants such a strong descriptor.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a serious contribution" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It indicates something of considerable importance or impact. Ludwig's examples showcase its use in academic, news and media, and scientific contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Academia

30%

Science

22%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a serious contribution" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to highlight the significant impact of an input or effort. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability across various contexts. It is most frequently found in news and media, academic, and scientific sources, indicating a neutral to formal register. While "a serious contribution" signifies importance and impact, alternatives such as "a significant contribution" or "a major contribution" can be used to vary the phrasing while maintaining the core meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant contribution

Replaces "serious" with "significant", emphasizing the importance of the contribution.

a major contribution

Substitutes "serious" with "major", highlighting the scale or importance of the contribution.

a substantial contribution

Uses "substantial" instead of "serious", focusing on the considerable amount or size of the contribution.

a meaningful contribution

Replaces "serious" with "meaningful", emphasizing the value and impact of the contribution.

a valuable addition

Offers a different phrasing, focusing on the positive impact and worth of the contribution.

an important contribution

Replaces "serious" with "important", stressing the relevance and significance.

a noteworthy contribution

Uses "noteworthy" to suggest that the contribution is deserving of attention and recognition.

a considerable contribution

Emphasizes the extent and impact of the contribution using "considerable".

a weighty contribution

Implies the contribution is impactful and influential, carrying substantial weight.

a consequential contribution

Highlights the lasting impact and significant consequences of the contribution.

FAQs

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

You can use "a serious contribution" to emphasize the significant impact of someone's work or ideas. For instance, "Her research made "a serious contribution" to the field of medicine".

What can I say instead of "a serious contribution"?

You can use alternatives like "a significant contribution", "a major contribution", or "a valuable addition" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "a serious contribution"?

Use "a serious contribution" when you want to highlight the substantial and impactful nature of someone's input or effort in a specific area or project. Make sure to adapt this phrase to formal, professional and informal writing.

Is there a difference between "a serious contribution" and "a positive contribution"?

Yes, ""a serious contribution"" suggests a more significant and impactful effect, while "a positive contribution" simply implies a helpful or beneficial effect. The former indicates depth and importance.