contributes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "contributes" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the act of giving or adding something, often in the context of efforts, resources, or ideas that enhance a situation or outcome. Example: "Her research significantly contributes to our understanding of climate change."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Legacy giving – money left to charity in a will – contributes £2bn to the voluntary sector, but only 6.7% of charities (less than 10,000) receive income in this way.

The Guardian

Our inability to see clearly when it comes to defecation directly contributes to 1.2 million children dying every year, still, from something as stupid as diarrhoea, caused by the fact that 2.6 billion people still have no toilets or even a bucket, and so faecal pathogens travel happily from soiled ground onto fingers, into rice pots, into bellies.

The Guardian - Opinion

Jill Mead is a photographer for the Guardian and Observer who regularly contributes to the Guardian's Cook section.

The Guardian

Batty will launch the inaugural Our Watch awards during her speech, to recognise excellence in journalism that contributes to a deeper understanding of violence against women, its causes and prevention.

The Guardian

Of course, it has no option, given it is spending the public's money collected by force - but the very culture of the organisation contributes to the sense that we all have a say in what is broadcast.

The Guardian

The others add lemon juice to conventional white sugar, which contributes a welcome tanginess, with Roden and Der Haroutunian stirring in orange-blossom water and rose water respectively.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

While we do have a lot of fun doing what we do, advertising is also a serious part of our economy: the industry contributes over £100bn to UK GDP annually.

The Guardian

If we can convince them and the wider development community that not only does financial inclusion enable other goals but that it also potentially contributes to raising domestic resources and reducing aid dependency we are on to a winner.

The Guardian

Alcohol costs this nation dearly in terms of the physical and mental health conditions it causes and contributes to.

The Guardian

Butcher and Ghayour both put in cardamom, which always tastes thrillingly exotic to me, and I love the latter's orange zest, too, which contributes another much-needed bitter note to proceedings.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Wolf, a Guardian contributor, was arrested in New York after a confrontation with police officers who had set up cordons to restrict the movement of Occupy protesters outside an event for the Huffington Post, to which she also contributes.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "contributes", ensure the sentence clearly indicates what is being contributed to and how it enhances or influences the subject. For example, specify the sector or aspect being affected for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "contributes" without specifying the outcome or area of impact. Overly general statements diminish the significance of the contribution. Always provide context.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "contributes" is as a third-person singular present tense verb. It indicates that a subject is performing the action of contributing, adding to, or helping to cause something. Ludwig examples confirm this verb usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "contributes" is a versatile and frequently used verb that describes the act of adding to or influencing something. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and commonly employed across various domains, including news, business, and scientific contexts. When using "contributes", ensure clarity by specifying the area of impact and avoiding overly general statements. Alternatives such as "adds to" or "plays a role in" can provide nuanced variations in meaning. Therefore, understanding the nuances of "contributes" is vital for effectively conveying influence and participation in different situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

adds to

Focuses on the act of increasing or augmenting something.

plays a role in

Emphasizes the participation or involvement in a particular outcome.

makes a contribution to

Formal way of emphasizing the act of giving or adding.

is instrumental in

Highlights the essential or crucial nature of the contribution.

factors into

Suggests that something is being taken into consideration.

lends itself to

Implies that something is naturally suitable or adaptable.

helps to create

Specifically indicates assistance in the formation or development of something.

has an impact on

Focuses on the effect or influence exerted.

is conducive to

Indicates that something promotes or encourages a particular outcome.

augments

This alternative denotes an increase in size or value.

FAQs

How to use "contributes" in a sentence?

Use "contributes" to show that something adds to or helps cause something else. For example, "Her work significantly contributes to our understanding of the topic."

What can I say instead of "contributes"?

You can use alternatives like "adds to", "plays a role in", or "is instrumental in" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "contributes to" or "contributes in"?

"Contributes to" is the correct and more common phrasing. "Contributes in" is less frequently used and may sound awkward in most contexts.

What's the difference between "contributes" and "attributes"?

"Contributes" means to give or supply something, while "attributes" means to regard something as being caused by someone or something. For example, "His success contributes to the team's morale," versus "His success is attributed to hard work."