contributed to them

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "contributed to them" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing how someone or something has had a positive impact or influence on a group or individuals. Example: "The donations from the community contributed to them being able to complete the project successfully."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Overall, meaningful participation contributed to them and their children having a life.

Social Science & Medicine

A nurse warned my high vit d supplement (5,000 iu daily) contributed to them.

Harvard University

When I first backpacked around Africa and Asia, I contributed to them.

The New York Times

The actor himself made no effort to quash the legends and even contributed to them.

The Guardian - Film

So the results show improvements, but not that the project itself contributed to them.

The Economist

But its policies — tax cuts, light regulation, a patchwork safety net — have contributed to them.

The New York Times

The powerful 7th-century ruler of Kanauj (Kannauj), Harshavardhana, is reported to have contributed to them.

Encyclopedia Britannica

An additional 10,000 accounts whose owners have not contributed to them have been opened.

The New York Times

A lot of people, a number of commissioners, have contributed to them.

The New York Times

I can't take credit for my projects alone - many people in my office have contributed to them.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

There was an alarming flimsiness to this display that contributed to them being two goals down within 11 minutes.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Make sure the context is clear. If there is a negative aspect, consider alternative wordings to avoid misinterpretation.

Common error

Avoid using "contributed to them" when the subject received something rather than giving something. For example, if someone received donations, it's more accurate to say "they benefited from" rather than "they contributed to".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "contributed to them" functions as a verb phrase indicating that something or someone played a role in bringing about a particular outcome or condition for a group of people. As supported by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "contributed to them" is a grammatically correct and commonly used verb phrase. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various contexts and registers, indicating a positive impact or influence. It appears most frequently in news and media, scientific, and academic sources. When using this phrase, clarity and precision are crucial to ensure that the intended meaning is accurately conveyed. Alternatives such as "aided them", "helped them", or "supported them" may be considered for subtle variations in meaning, but are less authoritative. Ensuring the subject is clearly identified and the direction of influence is accurate will enhance the effectiveness of your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

aided them

Focuses on providing help or support, suggesting a more direct form of assistance.

helped them

A general term for providing assistance; less formal than "contributed".

supported them

Implies providing encouragement or resources to sustain their efforts.

influenced them

Highlights the power to affect someone's actions, behavior or thinking without specifying if its positive or negative

affected them

Stresses the impact or change brought about, which could be positive or negative.

played a part in their

Highlights the role of something in achieving or influencing a specific outcome or aspect related to the subject.

factored into their

To be a consideration when forming an opinion about something.

was instrumental for their

Indicates something was crucial in achieving a particular outcome.

assisted in their

Highlights the action of helping or providing aid, specifically in relation to the subject.

had a hand in their

Indicates involvement or influence in something without specifying the extent or nature.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "contributed to them" for better clarity?

Consider alternatives such as "aided them", "helped them", or "supported them" depending on the specific context. Each alternative offers a slightly different nuance in meaning, so choose the one that best fits the situation.

Is "contributed to them" suitable for formal writing?

Yes, "contributed to them" is suitable for formal writing. However, for even more formal contexts, you might consider using a more precise term such as "aided them" or "assisted them".

What's the difference between "affected them" and "contributed to them"?

"Affected them" indicates an impact or change (which can be positive or negative), while "contributed to them" specifically implies a positive influence or assistance. If you want to imply a negative impact please use "affected them", while if you want to imply a positive one you can use "contributed to them".

In what situations should I avoid using "contributed to them"?

Avoid using "contributed to them" when the subject received something rather than gave something or influenced something. Use it when you're indicating an active role in bringing about a positive outcome for a group or individual.