contributing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "contributing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of giving or adding something, often in the context of efforts, ideas, or resources towards a common goal. Example: "She is contributing her time and skills to the community project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Behavioral economists have shown that a sizable percentage of people are willing to pay real money to punish people who are taking from a common pot but not contributing to it.

The Economist

Contributing to the problem is a fierce appetite for loud music, without an understanding of what this means for hearing in later life.

The Guardian

Only recently, Facebook was accused of taking the Treasury for a ride when the figures showed the British arm paid its 90 UK-based staff an average of £275,000 each in 2011 while contributing just £195,890 to the Treasury's coffers, according to the firm's latest accounts filed at Companies House.

The Guardian

In short, it appears that humans are contributing to the strength of high pressure ridges off California's coast, which will tend to reduce the amount of precipitation in the state.

The Guardian

In effect, the way we vote is contributing to the pressure on the union.

The Guardian - Opinion

Ironically, breast ironing, which many female proponents believe deters teenage sex, may be contributing to a significant number of adverse consequences.

The Guardian

As a journalist, covering suicide is always hard because there is a fine line between raising awareness of a vital public health issue and contributing to a spectacle that could harm vulnerable people.

The Guardian - Opinion

But the opposition said Australia should be contributing more.

The Guardian

Brereton said climate change as well as habitat loss was contributing to its decline.

The Guardian

The committee's latest draft report says that eating saturated fat in some meat and dairy products may be more significant factors in clogging up arteries and contributing to heart disease.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"For every step contributing to the progress at the top, there's an additional step on the bottom to increase the earned income [tax credit], to extend unemployment insurance for 28 years".

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "contributing", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being contributed to and what benefit or outcome results from the contribution. This enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "contributing" in overly passive sentences where the actor is unclear. Instead, restructure the sentence to highlight who or what is making the contribution. For example, instead of "It is believed that X is contributing to Y", write "X contributes to Y".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "contributing" is that of a present participle, often used as part of a continuous verb tense (e.g., "is contributing") or as an adjective modifying a noun. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "contributing" is a versatile and frequently used term, functioning primarily as a present participle to describe the act of adding to or supporting something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and applicable in a wide range of contexts, predominantly in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Scientific domains. While alternatives such as "aiding" or "assisting" exist, "contributing" offers a broader sense of involvement. For optimal clarity, ensure the context clearly indicates what is being contributed and its resultant benefit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

aiding

Implies providing assistance or support, often in a more direct or tangible way.

assisting

Suggests helping or supporting someone in a task, often in a subordinate role.

adding to

Focuses on the act of increasing something, whether it's a physical quantity or an abstract quality.

supporting

Emphasizes providing backing or encouragement to a cause, person, or idea.

enhancing

Suggests improving the quality or value of something.

playing a part in

Highlights the involvement of someone in a larger process or event.

lending itself to

Indicates that something is suitable or adaptable for a particular purpose.

devoting effort to

Specifies that time or energy is dedicated towards reaching a goal or cause.

donating

Refers specifically to giving money or resources.

giving back

Emphasizes the act of returning a favor or benefit, often to a community.

FAQs

How can I use "contributing" in a sentence?

Use "contributing" to describe the act of giving or adding something, often efforts or resources, toward a common goal. For example, "She is "contributing her time" to the project".

What are some alternatives to "contributing"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "aiding", "assisting", or "adding to" to convey a similar meaning.

How does "contributing" differ from "assisting"?

"Contributing" generally implies providing something that adds value to a whole, while "assisting" suggests helping or supporting someone in a task. Contributing is broader; assisting is more specific.

Is "contributing" formal or informal?

"Contributing" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, making it a versatile choice for various types of writing. Its appropriateness largely depends on the surrounding vocabulary and the overall tone of the piece.