a slight contribution

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a slight contribution" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a small or minor input or addition to a project, discussion, or effort. Example: "Her research provided a slight contribution to the overall findings of the study."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

With military spending flat, government agencies made only a slight contribution to growth.

The New York Times

Large amounts of public and private investment are going into solar, wind and biofuel development, but so far they are making only a slight contribution to energy supplies.

The New York Times

A slight contribution of the arch effect was also evidenced with a direction of the shear cracks lower than 45° angle.

International Journal of Advanced Structural Engineering (IJASE)

At higher temperatures around 1200 1500 °C, the activation energy increased up to 162 ± 22 kJ/mol level, which could be an indication of a slight contribution from the volume diffusion [6, 21, 22].

Nanoscale Research Letters

At first sight, this should mean only a slight contribution of glycolysis to ATP synthesis in the liver.

BMC Physiology

Importantly, our data also suggest a slight contribution of the 3′ss to this process (80% in IVSΔ5′ss and 95% in IVSmut).

EMBO Reports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Yet I hope that these memories will make some slight contribution towards a fuller picture of a man with whom I walked the same path for 60 years and more, and who was, I believe, one of the great figures of the past 100 years.

Independent

The enhancement of carbon bonding strength with increasing temperature was shown to be caused mainly by the evaporation of absorbed gases, probably water, up to temperatures of 1800 K with a slight additional contribution of thermal residual stress.

Carbon

There may be slight contribution from two-electron process also [35, 36, 37] and hydrogen peroxide formed in the process negatively affects the performance and stability of cathode and electrolyte membrane [38].

Materials for Renewable and Sustainable Energy

Posner suggests that although Hand is remembered today as one of the three greatest judges in American history, his status as a truly "great judge" was not based on his "slight" contributions to First Amendment jurisprudence or other fields of constitutional law, but rather on his decisions in other areas such as antitrust, intellectual property, and tort law.

Wikipedia

The year 2015 witnessed a slight increase of contributions in the fields of organolanthanide and organoactinide chemistry over 2014 (ca. 10% more).

Coordination Chemistry Reviews

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a slight contribution" to accurately represent something that adds a small but potentially important element to a larger whole. It's effective when you want to avoid exaggerating the impact of something.

Common error

Avoid using "a slight contribution" when the actual impact is significant. Choose stronger terms if the contribution is substantial to avoid misleading your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a slight contribution" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It describes something that provides a minor addition or input.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a slight contribution" is a grammatically sound and usable expression to denote a small or minor addition. Ludwig AI affirms its proper use. It is most frequently encountered in scientific and news media contexts and carries a generally neutral to professional tone. When using this phrase, ensure that the context accurately reflects the limited impact of the contribution to avoid misleading your audience. Alternative phrases like "a minor addition" or "a small part" can be employed for stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a minor addition

Replaces "contribution" with "addition", suggesting something added in a small way.

a small part

Focuses on the limited size or extent of the contribution.

a minimal impact

Shifts focus to the effect of the contribution being small.

a modest role

Emphasizes the limited function or importance of the contribution.

a marginal effect

Highlights that the effect is barely noticeable or significant.

a hint of assistance

Conveys a subtle and delicate form of help.

a touch of influence

Suggests a very gentle and subtle impact.

an insignificant factor

Underscores the contribution's lack of importance.

a negligible element

Highlights the near absence of significance.

a faint input

Focuses on the weakness of the contribution.

FAQs

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

You can use "a slight contribution" to indicate that something has added a small, though perhaps meaningful, element to something else. For example, "Her research made "a slight contribution" to the field of medicine".

What are some alternatives to "a slight contribution"?

Alternatives to "a slight contribution" include phrases like "a minor addition", "a small part", or "a minimal impact", depending on the context.

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

Yes, "a slight contribution" is appropriate for formal writing when you want to accurately describe a small impact or addition without exaggeration. It is suitable for scientific, academic, and professional contexts.

What is the difference between "a slight contribution" and "a significant contribution"?

"A slight contribution" indicates a small or minor impact, while "a significant contribution" suggests a substantial and important impact. The choice depends on the actual effect of the thing you're describing.