a substantial contributor to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a substantial contributor to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing someone or something that plays a significant role in a particular outcome or situation. Example: "The research team was a substantial contributor to the success of the project, providing valuable insights and data."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

It shows that British music is a substantial contributor to the economy.

Independent

In fact, whatever its social merits or demerits, private education is a substantial contributor to state finances.

The Guardian

But you might reveal to your readers that its founder, Gary Heavin, is a substantial contributor to anti-abortion causes.

The New York Times

That company's chief executive, Bobby Lawrence, has also been a substantial contributor to Republican political candidates, including Mr. Bush.

The New York Times

In a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Dish said the partnership had been a substantial contributor to subscriber growth in the last few years.

The New York Times - Tech

Mrs. McNally was a substantial contributor to the Hartford Symphony, the World Affairs Council, the Mark Twain Memorial, the Republican Party, and to many Estonian-American charities.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

Further, Landrigan added that in addressing localized emissions on the city and country level, the world as a whole stands to benefit as they're a substantial contributors to global climate change.

Huffington Post

Low level, chronic inflammation increases with age and is a cause or substantial contributor to virtually all of the major age-related diseases [ 26- 29].

Aging

Norm Ornstein, a fellow at the conservative American Enterprise Institute and substantial contributor to the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act -- also known as the "McCain-Feingold" campaign finance legislation -- said on Thursday that Obama's move was "pragmatically the right decision to make," and that, if the Senator had not chosen that path, "I would have sued him for political malpractice".

Huffington Post

Somewhat unsurprisingly, an additional haemophilia-related hospitalisation was the most substantial contributor to NDDCs (AME 2681.52; SD 220.15; p < 0.001).

Health Economics Review

The Board of Directors, shareholders and employess of 10 W. 66 St, mourn the passing on August 25, 2006 of our long time Director, Vice President and substantial contributor to the well being of the cooperative and its residents.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a substantial contributor to", ensure the subject significantly impacts the outcome you are describing. Quantify the contribution where possible to strengthen your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "a substantial contributor to" if the subject's impact is minor or negligible. Overstating the contribution can weaken your credibility. Ensure that the contribution is genuinely significant before using this phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a substantial contributor to" functions as a descriptive phrase. It identifies something as having a significant impact or role in a particular outcome or context. Ludwig AI confirms this use case through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

31%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a substantial contributor to" is a versatile phrase used to highlight the significant impact of a factor or entity. Ludwig's analysis indicates that it is grammatically correct and commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, especially in science and news. The phrase's neutral-to-formal register makes it suitable for diverse writing scenarios. When incorporating this phrase, be mindful of accurately representing the level of contribution to avoid overstatement, as the Ludwig AI points out.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant factor in

This alternative replaces "contributor" with "factor", emphasizing the importance of the role.

a major influence on

This phrase uses "influence" instead of "contributor", highlighting the power to affect something.

a key element of

This emphasizes that the subject is a necessary part of the whole.

an important component of

This replaces "contributor" with "component", focusing on the integral nature of the subject.

a primary driver of

This alternative highlights the subject as the main force behind something.

instrumental in

This emphasizes the helpful role of the subject in achieving a result.

a critical aspect of

This emphasizes the crucial nature of the subject to a specific outcome.

a considerable force behind

This expresses the magnitude of the subject's impact.

a noteworthy addition to

This highlights the subject as a valuable element to the whole.

a valuable asset for

This emphasizes that the subject is beneficial and advantageous.

FAQs

How can I use "a substantial contributor to" in a sentence?

Use "a substantial contributor to" to describe something or someone that significantly influences or impacts a particular outcome or situation. For example, "Technological advancements are "a substantial contributor to" economic growth".

What are some alternatives to "a substantial contributor to"?

You can use alternatives like "a significant factor in", "a major influence on", or "a key element of" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "a substantial contributor to" in formal writing?

Yes, "a substantial contributor to" is appropriate for formal writing. It is a clear and professional way to describe a significant impact or influence. Its usage spans across various formal contexts like science, news and business.

What does "substantial" mean in the context of "a substantial contributor to"?

In this context, "substantial" means considerable in amount, size, or importance. Using this phrasing suggests that the contribution is significant and not merely incidental.