ability to contribute

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ability to contribute" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing someone's capacity or potential to add value or input to a project, team, or situation. Example: "Her ability to contribute to the team's success was evident during the project presentation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Watson has no doubts about his ability to contribute right away: "I don't consider myself raw.

The Guardian - Sport

When you step into the patient role, you give up the ability to contribute something.

The Guardian

"It's aimed at increasing everyone's ability to contribute to the economy.

The Guardian

And the site's small size limits its ability to contribute meaningfully to Microsoft's revenues.

The New York Times

We have the ability to contribute a sizeable amount if required".

The Guardian

We want applicants to be chosen for their ability to contribute to the UK.

The Guardian

In short they produce well rounded individuals with the ability to contribute to society.

The Guardian

Transit through Pakistan would greatly enhance India's ability to contribute to Afghan reconstruction.

The Guardian

When work is presented to me and I doubt my ability to contribute, I'll consider it.

The Guardian

In these acquisitions, "Ford's ability to contribute additional net worth could come into play," he said.

The New York Times

We depend on management for our livelihoods and our ability to contribute and achieve.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When emphasizing someone's strengths, use "ability to contribute" to highlight their potential value to a team or project.

Common error

Avoid using "ability to contribute" without providing specific examples or evidence of the individual's skills or past contributions. Support claims with concrete examples to enhance credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ability to contribute" functions primarily as a noun phrase indicating a capacity or potential. Ludwig AI confirms its wide usage. It is used to describe someone's aptitude or skill in adding value to a situation, team, or project.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

16%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Academia

6%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ability to contribute" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe someone's capacity to add value or provide input. As Ludwig AI indicates, it enjoys widespread use across diverse contexts, from news and media to scientific research and formal business settings. While alternatives like "capacity to contribute" or "potential to contribute" exist, "ability to contribute" remains a versatile and widely understood choice. When using this phrase, ensure you can substantiate the claim with concrete examples to enhance credibility and avoid overgeneralization.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

capacity to contribute

Replaces "ability" with its synonym "capacity", maintaining the core meaning.

potential to contribute

Substitutes "ability" with "potential", highlighting the possibility of contributing.

capability to contribute

Uses "capability" instead of "ability", indicating the power or skill to contribute.

skill to contribute

Focuses on the specific "skill" that enables contribution.

aptitude to contribute

Emphasizes a natural or inherent "aptitude" for contributing.

talent for contribution

Highlights a specific "talent" that results in contribution.

capacity to assist

Replaces "contribute" with "assist", focusing on helping or aiding.

potential for input

Replaces "contribute" with "input", focusing on providing ideas or information.

room for improvement

Emphasizes space or potential for enhancing capabilities.

chance to influence

Highlights possibilities or opportunity to change things.

FAQs

How can I use "ability to contribute" in a sentence?

You can use "ability to contribute" to describe someone's capacity to add value. For instance: "Her ability to contribute to the team was evident."

What are some alternatives to "ability to contribute"?

Alternatives include "capacity to contribute", "potential to contribute", or "capability to contribute", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "ability to contribute" and "willingness to contribute"?

"Ability to contribute" refers to the capacity or skill to add value, while "willingness to contribute" refers to the readiness or enthusiasm to do so. Someone may have the "ability to contribute" but lack the willingness, or vice versa.

When is it appropriate to use "ability to contribute" in formal writing?

It's appropriate in any context where you want to emphasize someone's skills, talents, or potential value. For example, when discussing a candidate's suitability for a role or an employee's performance.