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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
contribute a little
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
"contribute a little" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when asking someone to make a small contribution to a project or activity. For example, you could write, "We need everyone to contribute a little in order to get this project finished on time."
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Wiki
Science
Alternative expressions(4)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
43 human-written examples
A pretty assistant who smiles and makes eye contact saying something like "Won't you please contribute a little something for the performer?" can easily double the contributions.
Wiki
"I contribute a little annually -- it's very, very small".
News & Media
It's definitely a good feeling to go out and contribute a little bit".
News & Media
There was, after all, the chance to contribute a little style".
News & Media
I'll get somebody who has a car, and perhaps I can contribute a little petrol to go around".
News & Media
When it came to bargaining, they were willing to contribute a little more and take a little less than the others, thereby facilitating agreement.
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
14 human-written examples
While its political action committee contributed a little to some Democrats in 2008, including Senator Baucus, its contributions last year went almost entirely to Republicans, with a large amount going to the Mitt Romney campaign.
News & Media
"The economy contributes a little bit to the problem.
News & Media
(The United States is contributing a little more than $500 million).
News & Media
"I contributed a little bit to the Kaplan-Sheinwold system.
News & Media
And it contributed a little bit to my reluctance to root for him.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When asking for help, use "contribute a little" to soften your request, implying that the effort required is minimal and manageable.
Common error
Avoid using "contribute a little" when a significant contribution is actually needed. It can downplay the importance of the task and mislead potential contributors.
Source & Trust
86%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "contribute a little" primarily functions as a verb phrase, indicating an action of making a minor or modest contribution. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is both correct and usable in various contexts.
Frequent in
News & Media
65%
Wiki
15%
Science
10%
Less common in
Formal & Business
5%
Academia
0%
Encyclopedias
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
The phrase "contribute a little" is a common and grammatically sound way to suggest or request a small contribution. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's widely used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Wiki sources. While generally neutral in register, it leans towards informal, making it suitable for everyday conversations. When using this phrase, ensure that the requested contribution genuinely aligns with the implication of being small to avoid miscommunication. For more formal settings, consider alternatives like "make a modest contribution".
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
contribute a small amount
Replaces "little" with "small amount" making the quantity more explicit.
contribute a bit
Uses "bit" instead of "little", offering a slightly more informal tone.
offer a small contribution
Replaces "contribute" with "offer a contribution", changing the sentence structure slightly.
assist a little
Replaces "contribute" with "assist", focusing on providing help rather than a general contribution.
add a minor share
Replaces "contribute" with "add a share" and uses "minor" instead of "little" to emphasize the size of the contribution.
provide a slight input
Substitutes "contribute" with "provide input" and "little" with "slight", altering the vocabulary.
chip in a small portion
Uses "chip in" for contribute, implying a shared effort with "small portion" specifying the amount.
lend a hand slightly
Employs the idiom "lend a hand" to mean help, adding "slightly" to indicate a small amount.
play a small part
Metaphorically describes contributing as "playing a part", emphasizing the size of the role.
make a modest donation
Implies a financial contribution with "donation", and describes it as "modest"
FAQs
How can I use "contribute a little" in a sentence?
You can use "contribute a little" when asking someone to make a small contribution to a project or activity. For example, "We need everyone to "contribute a little" in order to get this project finished on time".
What are some alternatives to "contribute a little"?
You can use alternatives like "assist a little", "contribute a bit", or "offer a small contribution depending on the context".
Is it appropriate to use "contribute a little" in formal writing?
While "contribute a little" is generally acceptable, consider using more formal alternatives like "make a modest contribution" or "provide a slight input" in academic or professional contexts.
What is the difference between "contribute a little" and "contribute significantly"?
"Contribute a little" implies a small or minor contribution, while "contribute significantly" suggests a substantial or important contribution. The choice depends on the actual level of contribution you want to convey.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
86%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested