as a small contribution

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as a small contribution" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a small offering or action that is intended to help something else. For example, "I am donating money to the charity this month as a small contribution to help fight poverty."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

President of the organisation, Ghirmai Negash, describes it as: "a small contribution in the long road towards liberty and democracy".

The Guardian

Make Music hatched the notion of posting a flutist at 49 of the Cage locations as a small contribution to the urban soundtrack.

The New York Times - Arts

The authors commend this paper as a small contribution to the knowledge in the field.

European Transport Research Review

In a message delivered at the Dublin announcement, Shapoor Mistry said that as "Irish citizens", his family viewed the deal as a "small contribution as a token of gratitude towards Ireland".

BBC

So maybe I am trying to see writing as a small contribution to something bigger.

Vice

This effort toward a calculus-based statistics course as a small contribution among many other efforts seems to be bringing us closer to that goal.

CBE Life Sciences Education

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

These variables were retained in the respective indices (bathing and self-reported health in both indices; walking in the Full Frailty Index as well) as each individual variable makes a small contribution to the indices and prior work indicated that doing this would not significantly affect our results [ 16].

BMC Geriatrics

In addition, associations and groups that use the NH rooms and spaces for their activities are asked to make a small contribution, as is the case with individuals who choose the NH to organise celebrations and private parties.

Comparative Migration Studies

But as governor, Bernanke made a small contribution to a problem that would blossom in a big way on his watch.

The New York Times - Magazine

Normally, the vascular compartment is neglected in this model as it generally makes a small contribution (approximately 5%%) to the net activity, thus reducing the analysis to a single-compartment model.

EJNMMI Research

The side population phenotype, which is present in human glioblastoma tissue, was entirely stroma-derived and could be identified as endothelial cells with a small contribution of astrocytes.

Brain

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as a small contribution", ensure the context clearly indicates what the contribution is intended to support. For example, specify "as a small contribution to the research fund".

Common error

Avoid using "as a small contribution" when the contribution is, in fact, substantial. Overstating humility can undermine the true value of the effort.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as a small contribution" functions as an introductory phrase, often used to preface an action or donation, indicating its modest scale. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in academic, news, and general contexts, signaling an acknowledgment of limited impact while still offering assistance.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as a small contribution" serves as an introductory phrase to express humility and acknowledge the limited scope of an action or offering. It's grammatically correct and usable across diverse contexts, ranging from news and media to scientific and academic writing. While Ludwig AI confirms its validity, related phrases like "as a minor offering" or "as a token gesture" can provide subtle shifts in emphasis. When using the phrase, it's important to ensure that the context clearly indicates the intent and target of the contribution, avoiding overstatement of its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as a minor offering

Substitutes 'contribution' with 'offering' emphasizing the act of giving something.

as a token gesture

Replaces the phrase with a focus on the symbolic nature of the contribution.

as a modest donation

Specifically uses 'donation' indicating a financial contribution.

as a limited input

Uses 'input' to suggest a contribution of resources or effort.

as a partial effort

Emphasizes the incompleteness of the contribution, suggesting more is needed.

as an incremental step

Highlights the progress made by the contribution, however small.

as a fractional share

Suggests the contribution is only a portion of a larger whole.

as a slight addition

Focuses on the act of adding something, though in a small amount.

as a symbolic payment

Indicates that the payment is more for representation than significant financial help.

as an insignificant portion

Highlights the relative unimportance of the contribution within a larger context.

FAQs

How can I use "as a small contribution" in a sentence?

You can use "as a small contribution" to introduce an action or offering that is intended to help something else, such as "I donated some books as a small contribution to the library."

What are some alternatives to saying "as a small contribution"?

Alternatives include phrases like "as a minor offering", "as a token gesture", or "as a modest donation", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "small contribution" or "minor contribution"?

Both "small contribution" and "minor contribution" are acceptable. "Small" emphasizes the size or amount, while "minor" emphasizes the significance or impact. The best choice depends on the specific context.

What's the difference between "as a small contribution" and "as a significant contribution"?

"As a small contribution" implies that the offering is relatively insignificant, while "as a significant contribution" suggests that it has a substantial impact. They are antonyms and should be used in opposite contexts.