contributes to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "contributes to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something plays a part in causing or helping to bring about a particular result or situation. Example: "Regular exercise contributes to overall health and well-being."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Nordea contributes to all four.

The Economist

"It strongly contributes to longevity".

The New York Times - Magazine

"That contributes to the jadedness".

The New York Times

What contributes to cognitive reserve?

The New York Times

contributes to the former.

The New York Times

Worker displacement contributes to the problem.

The New York Times

"Everybody contributes to it every day".

The New York Times - Science

Coffee also contributes to the economy.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This regional divide contributes to political gridlock.

The Economist

Blaming music just contributes to the crisis".

The New York Times - Arts

But it also contributes to anxiety.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, consider alternatives like "plays a key role in" or "is instrumental in" to add nuance.

Common error

Avoid using "contributes to" when the actual impact is negligible. Instead, use more appropriate phrases such as "may have a slight effect on" or "is a minor factor in" if the influence is minimal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "contributes to" functions as a transitive verb phrase, indicating that something plays a part in causing or bringing about a particular result. Ludwig examples confirm its role in showing influence or causality.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

10%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "contributes to" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that something influences or helps bring about a particular outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is widely used across diverse contexts, from news media to encyclopedias and scientific publications. While perfectly acceptable, using alternatives like "plays a role in" or "is instrumental in" may enhance your writing style depending on the context. It's crucial to ensure that the level of impact is accurately represented when using this phrase. Misstating the impact of something with "contributes to" when it's negligible may lead to miscommunication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

adds to

This is a simpler and more general way of expressing contribution.

plays a role in

This alternative is less direct and emphasizes participation rather than a direct influence.

is conducive to

This indicates that "it" creates favorable conditions for something to happen.

is instrumental in

This suggests a crucial or essential contribution.

helps to bring about

This is a more descriptive and emphatic way of saying contributes, emphasizing action.

is a factor in

Similar to 'factors into' but emphasizes the nature of "it" as an element.

factors into

This implies that "it" is one of several elements influencing the outcome.

assists in

Implies providing support or aid.

lends itself to

This suggests a natural or inherent tendency to contribute.

has a hand in

This suggests involvement in the outcome but might not be the main factor.

FAQs

How can I use "contributes to" in a sentence?

Use "contributes to" to show that something helps to cause or create a larger effect. For example, "Regular exercise "contributes to" better health".

What are some alternatives to "contributes to"?

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

Is it better to say "contributes to" or "attributes to"?

"Contributes to" means to help cause something, while "attributes to" means to assign something as a cause. Use "contributes to" when showing an influence and "attributes to" when identifying a reason.

What is the difference between "contributes to" and "benefits"?

"Contributes to" implies an influence on an outcome, not necessarily positive. "Benefits" implies a positive result or advantage. For example, high taxes could "contributes to" economic decline or "contributes to" funding social programs, while good health habits "benefits" your overall well-being.