chip in

USAGE SUMMARY

"chip in" is a perfectly acceptable phrase to use in written English.
It refers to an individual contributing money or other resources to a shared project or cause. For example, "The team members chipped in to purchase a new laptop for the office."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Chip in five quid.

Independent

Riva rushes to chip in.

The Guardian - Film

Employers also chip in.

The New York Times

Others chip in too.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

China was willing to chip in more.

The Economist

Everybody has to chip in".

The New York Times - Sports

Any chip in a storm.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Congress could also chip in.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

The federal government has chipped in, too.

The Economist

Walker chips in!

BBC

Commonly used for chip-ins.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "chip in" to encourage participation and show that every contribution, no matter how small, is valued.

Common error

Avoid using "chip in" in formal business reports or academic papers. Opt for more formal terms like "contribute" or "make a contribution" in those contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "chip in" functions as a verb indicating contribution. Ludwig AI provides examples that show how it is used in various contexts to describe the act of contributing money, effort, or ideas to a shared cause or goal.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

10%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Science

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "chip in" is a commonly used phrasal verb that means to contribute, typically money or effort, towards a shared goal. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely accepted in written English. While it maintains a neutral to informal tone, it is important to consider your audience as you may want to use a more formal alternative in a business or academic setting. Based on the analysis, the term most frequently appears in "News & Media" sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Pitch in

Similar to "chip in" but often refers to contributing effort or help rather than money.

Kick in

Informal, primarily refers to contributing money.

Contribute

A more formal way of saying "chip in", implying a deliberate act of giving.

Put in

Simple and direct, referring to contributing something (money, time, effort).

Make a contribution

A more formal phrasing, often used in official contexts.

Pool resources

Emphasizes the collective aspect of combining resources.

Contribute financially

Specifically refers to financial contributions.

Share the expense

This alternative emphasizes the collaborative financial aspect.

Help out

Broader term, referring to any kind of assistance.

Ante up

An informal expression suggesting the contribution of something that is mandatory to continue

FAQs

How do I use "chip in" in a sentence?

You can use "chip in" to describe contributing money or effort towards a common goal. For example, "We all "chip in" for pizza on Fridays" or "Everyone needs to "chip in" to get the project done on time".

What's a more formal alternative to "chip in"?

If you need a more formal phrase, consider using "contribute" or "make a contribution". These options are better suited for professional or academic settings.

Is "chip in" appropriate for business communication?

While "chip in" is widely understood, it's generally considered informal. In business settings, it's often more appropriate to use phrases like "invest", "allocate funds", or "provide support".

What's the difference between "chip in" and "pitch in"?

"Chip in" often implies a financial contribution, while "pitch in" usually refers to contributing effort or help. You might "chip in" for a gift, but you'd "pitch in" with cleaning the house.