can contribute to

USAGE SUMMARY

"can contribute to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to describe how something has an effect on something else. For example, "Regular exercise can contribute to improved health and well-being."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Yes, technology can contribute to solving problems.

The New York Times

Several factors can contribute to this impediment.

Harvard Business Review

Many factors can contribute to entitlement failure.

Britannica

You can contribute to projects like Deepshikha.

The New York Times

Interpersonal conflicts can contribute to these problems.

Harvard Business Review

You can contribute to Sea Shepherd here.

The Guardian

TDTs can contribute to teachers' professional growth.

Studies in Educational Evaluation

Workplace snacking can contribute to obesity.

Appetite

This in turn can contribute to a sense of anxiety.

The Guardian

We can contribute to that and be economically sound".

The Guardian

You can contribute to charities, such as the Red Cross.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "can contribute to" when you want to indicate that something has a partial but significant effect on something else. For instance, "Consistent studying can contribute to better grades."

Common error

Avoid using "can contribute to" when the effect is direct and complete. Instead of saying "Watering plants can contribute to their growth", a more accurate statement would be "Watering plants ensures their growth".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can contribute to" functions as a verb phrase indicating a causal relationship where the subject has an influence, but not necessarily a determining factor, on the object. Ludwig AI confirms its common use in expressing this type of partial causality.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

27%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "can contribute to" is a versatile verb phrase that expresses a partial causal relationship, indicating that something has an influence on a particular outcome without being the sole determining factor. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely used across diverse contexts, including news, science, and formal business settings. While alternatives like "plays a role in" and "has an impact on" exist, understanding the nuance of partial versus direct causality is crucial for effective communication. It's important to use ""can contribute to"" when describing influences that are significant but not solely responsible for an outcome.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has an impact on

Highlights the effect or influence exerted.

plays a role in

Highlights the involvement or influence in a particular process or situation.

helps to bring about

Emphasizes the act of causing or creating an outcome.

promotes the development of

Focuses on actively encouraging and aiding growth.

is instrumental in

Stresses the importance and essential nature of the contribution.

serves to advance

Implies a forward movement or improvement.

assists in fostering

Highlights the support in promoting or developing something.

aids in facilitating

Emphasizes assistance in making something easier.

is conducive to

Suggests a favorable or supportive environment.

lends itself to

Indicates a natural suitability or compatibility.

FAQs

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

Use "can contribute to" to indicate that something has an influence or effect on a particular outcome. For example, "Regular exercise "can contribute to" improved health."

What are some alternatives to "can contribute to"?

You can use alternatives like "plays a role in", "helps to bring about", or "has an impact on" depending on the context.

Is it always appropriate to use "can contribute to", or are there situations where it's better to use a stronger phrase?

While ""can contribute to"" is generally appropriate, using stronger phrases like "ensures" or "guarantees" might be more fitting when the action directly and fully causes the result.

What is the difference between "can contribute to" and "leads to"?

"Can contribute to" indicates a partial influence, while "leads to" suggests a more direct and substantial impact. For example, "Stress can contribute to headaches", versus "Smoking leads to lung cancer".