contributed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "contributed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of giving or adding something, typically in the context of work, ideas, or resources. Example: "She contributed significantly to the success of the project with her innovative ideas."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Opinion

Business

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It is believed that some or all of the money contributed was actually from the Chinese Government and constituted illegal campaign contributions," the Las Vegas Sands report said.

The Guardian

"He has also contributed to the development of important international conventions on children's rights".

The Guardian

An Iranian journalist based in Tehran contributed to this report.

The Guardian

In a highly critical report on Monday, marking the first anniversary of the official outbreak in west Africa, the charity said the governments of Guinea and Sierra Leone obstructed the early response and contributed to the loss of life.

The Guardian

But two months after the anniversary of the Rana Plaza factory collapse in Bangladesh, when most of those injured and bereaved by the disaster are still waiting for compensation – though Primark, unlike other retailers who have admitted to a presence in the factory, has contributed to the compensation fund – the secret message hidden inside a piece of women's clothing is a startling image.

The Guardian - Opinion

The fact that he belongs to a family of "martyrs", and that he never left Iraq during Saddam's rule, have contributed to the high standing he has acquired among Shias.

The Guardian - Opinion

And the so-called innocent party may have even contributed to the event by not being sufficiently open and sympathetic to their partner's feelings.

The Guardian - Opinion

Harris suggested that the general election had contributed to the market getting off to something of a slow start this year, which meant many were behind on targets.

The Guardian - Money

One union leader told me: 'I did not cause the failure of Seattle, but I contributed to it.' 'Seattle' is now the code word for protest against the seemingly inexorable march of 'globalisation' and extreme free market economics.

The Guardian - Business

It is the lack of this cooperation that has contributed to the ineffectiveness of anti-insurgency tactics that Nigeria was adopting.

The Guardian

He is the author of McLibel: Burger Culture on Trial (1998) and has contributed chapters to books on topics such as the Gulf war, new Europe and development.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "contributed", be specific about what was contributed and the impact it had. For example, instead of saying "He contributed to the project", say "He contributed data analysis, which improved the project's accuracy."

Common error

Avoid using "contributed" without specifying the nature or extent of the contribution. Unclear contributions make your writing less impactful and informative.

Linguistic Context

The word "contributed" functions as a verb, typically in the past tense or as a past participle. As Ludwig AI confirms, it signifies the act of giving or adding something, whether it be effort, resources, or ideas, to a particular cause, project, or outcome.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Opinion

15%

Business

10%

Less common in

Sport

5%

Science

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "contributed" is a versatile verb form used to indicate the act of providing assistance, input, or resources that have aided in a particular outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely applicable across various contexts. The examples provided by Ludwig show that it is frequently used in news, opinion pieces, and business writing, suggesting its common usage in formal and professional settings. While it is a common word, ensuring that the contribution is clearly specified enhances the clarity and impact of your writing. Related phrases like "played a part" or "aided in" can be used to add nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

played a part

Emphasizes the role or involvement in an event or activity; suggests a less significant contribution than "contributed".

added to

Focuses on the incremental increase or augmentation resulting from the contribution, suggesting a cumulative effect.

aided in

Highlights the act of providing assistance or support to achieve a specific result, focusing on the supportive aspect of the contribution.

assisted with

Similar to "aided in" but often used in more practical or hands-on contexts, emphasizing direct assistance.

had a hand in

Suggests involvement, often implying influence or some degree of responsibility, which can be more subtle than "contributed".

factored into

Indicates that something was taken into account or considered as part of a larger process or decision, emphasizing its relevance.

was instrumental in

Highlights the crucial or essential role someone or something played in achieving a specific outcome.

lent itself to

Implies that something was conducive or favorable to a particular outcome, suggesting a passive but supportive role.

helped shape

Emphasizes the influence on the form or development of something, suggesting a more active and creative role.

influenced the development of

Highlights the effect on the growth or evolution of something, suggesting a long-term impact.

FAQs

How can I use "contributed" in a sentence?

You can use "contributed" to describe someone or something that has added to or helped bring about a result. For example, "Her research contributed significantly to our understanding of the topic."

What are some alternatives to "contributed"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "aided in", "assisted with", or "played a part".

Is it better to say "contributed to" or "contributed in"?

It is generally more appropriate to say "contributed to". The preposition "to" indicates the recipient or the result that was augmented, whereas "in" would be less common and potentially grammatically incorrect depending on the context.

What's the difference between "contributed" and "donated"?

"Contributed" generally refers to adding effort, ideas, or resources to something, while "donated" typically refers specifically to giving money or goods. For instance, you might say someone "contributed time" but "donated money".