as a contributory

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as a contributory" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to something that plays a role or adds to a particular outcome or situation. Example: "The research highlighted the importance of community involvement as a contributory factor in the project's success."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Or, more accurately, as a contributory cause.

The Economist

The district court determined that plaintiffs in all likelihood would establish Napster's liability as a contributory infringer.

The New York Times

Seeing such power relations as a contributory factor, does not amount to some kind of "anti-business conspiracy theory" – as expediently implied by the Science Media Centre.

The Guardian

Several coroners' reports into suicides have mentioned benefits decisions as a contributory factor, but ministers have always been careful to avoid acknowledging a link.

The Guardian

The former soldiers we spoke to, and their families, fear a report that will understate combat-related PTSD as a contributory factor.

The Guardian

"However complex and unfathomable the causes of David's illness were, my father saw himself and his behaviour unsparingly, as a contributory factor.

The Guardian - Books

As concerns over knife violence and teen gangs grow, social workers repeatedly point to the absence of quality after-school activities in deprived areas as a contributory factor.

The Guardian

The disappearance of well-paid jobs for less skilled workers should not be underestimated as a contributory factor either, he suggests.

The Guardian

Oxfam says the increasing appetite for sugar has gone largely unnoticed as a contributory factor to land grabs in the developing world.

Independent

However, eating does not feature as a contributory factor.

BBC

Impaired lymph formation and clearance has previously been proposed as a contributory factor in the development of pressure ulcers.

Journal of Tissue Viability

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as a contributory", ensure the sentence clearly identifies what it is contributing to. The connection should be explicit for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "as a contributory" when the factor in question is the primary or sole cause. Reserve it for situations where multiple elements contribute to the outcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as a contributory" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause, indicating that something is acting as a contributing element. As Ludwig AI shows, it often appears when assessing various influences on an outcome.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

53%

News & Media

45%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as a contributory" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It functions as an adverbial phrase to indicate that something is acting as a contributing element to a particular outcome. The phrase is most commonly found in scientific and news media contexts, highlighting its formal and objective tone. While "as a contributory" is generally appropriate, writers should ensure its use aligns with the degree of influence the identified factor has on the overall result. Alternatives such as "as a contributing factor" can be used to offer greater clarity or emphasis depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as a contributing factor

Replaces "contributory" with "contributing factor" offering a slightly more explicit and common phrasing.

as a causal element

Substitutes "contributory" with "causal element", emphasizing the role in directly causing an effect.

as an influencing aspect

Replaces "contributory" with "influencing aspect", highlighting the capacity to affect something without necessarily being a direct cause.

as a part of the reason

Offers a more informal and simplified alternative to "as a contributory".

as playing a role

Uses the idiomatic expression "playing a role" to convey contribution.

as partly responsible

Emphasizes responsibility or accountability in addition to contribution.

as having a hand in

Employs an idiomatic expression indicating involvement or influence.

as aiding and abetting

Suggests active support or assistance, implying a more intentional contribution.

as an underlying cause

Indicates a less obvious, but still significant, contribution to an outcome.

as being instrumental

Highlights the crucial importance of the contribution.

FAQs

How can I use "as a contributory" in a sentence?

Use "as a contributory" to indicate that something is one of several factors contributing to a particular result or situation. For instance, "Lack of sleep was identified as a contributory factor in the accident".

What are some alternatives to "as a contributory"?

You can use alternatives like "as a contributing factor", "as a causal element", or "as an influencing aspect" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a contributory factor"?

Yes, "a contributory factor" is grammatically correct and commonly used. It means a factor that contributes to a particular result, but is not the only cause.

What's the difference between "as a contributory factor" and "as the primary factor"?

"As a contributory factor" indicates that something is one of several contributing elements, while "as the primary factor" suggests it is the main or most significant cause.