contributing less than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "contributing less than" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing the level of contribution of one entity to another, often in contexts such as discussions about performance, effort, or input. Example: "The new team member is contributing less than expected to the project, which has raised some concerns among the team."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

Millennials who thought that they were contributing less than others were both more interested in changing their level of contribution and in talking to a retirement planner than those who did not see a reference point.

Yale University

You may be contributing less than you think you are—and others may be contributing more.

Harvard University

"India constitutes 17% of [the] world's population and is contributing less than 2.5% of greenhouse gas emissions.

The Guardian

People contributing less than $1,000 (members of "the Skinny Cat Club") get stamps of another color indicating lesser urgency.

The New York Times

Figures from some American schemes suggest workers are contributing less than 7% of their incomes on average.

The Economist

First, they tested to see if millennials would be more engaged in their retirement if they believe that they were contributing less than others.

Yale University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

In America, by contrast, they typically contribute less than 20%.

The Economist

In America, by contrast, they contributed less than 20%.

The Economist

And Verizon's CTI Holdings wireless unit in Argentina contributes less than 2percentt of total sales.

The New York Times

Imax releases in the past have typically contributed less than 5percentt of the gross.

The New York Times

The FT contributed less than £25m to Pearson's annual profits of around £800m, Fallon said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "contributing less than", clearly define the reference point or standard against which the contribution is being compared to ensure clarity and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "contributing less than" without specifying what the contribution is being compared to. Vague comparisons can lead to misunderstandings. Always provide a clear reference.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "contributing less than" functions as a comparative, indicating a lower level of participation or input relative to a specific benchmark or another entity. As Ludwig AI indicates, this construction is grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "contributing less than" is a versatile comparative used to indicate a lower level of participation or input compared to a specific reference. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across diverse domains—Academia, Science, News & Media—make it a reliable tool for expressing disparities. The phrase functions to highlight areas needing adjustment, and while suitable for neutral contexts, maintaining clarity in the comparison is paramount. Related alternatives include "under contributing compared to", or "not pulling their weight as much as". Overall, "contributing less than" provides a clear and effective means of assessing and comparing contributions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

under contributing compared to

Directly indicates a lower level of contribution, placing emphasis on the act of contributing.

providing fewer resources than

Focuses on the provision of resources, implying a quantitative difference in contribution.

offering less input than

Focuses on the lack of ideas, suggestions, or feedback.

not pulling their weight as much as

An idiomatic expression suggesting an imbalance in effort or responsibility within a group.

supplying less support than

Focuses on the degree of assistance provided, showing a deficiency.

exerting less effort than

Highlights a lower expenditure of energy and dedication.

not as productive as

Emphasizes a lower level of output or results achieved.

furnishing fewer provisions than

Emphasizes the supply of tangible resources, highlighting a quantitative deficit.

performing below the level of

Highlights a discrepancy between actual performance and a specified standard.

not up to par with

Indicates a failure to meet a particular benchmark or expectation.

FAQs

How to use "contributing less than" in a sentence?

Use "contributing less than" to compare the level of input or effort of one entity to another. For example: "The new employee is contributing less than expected."

What can I say instead of "contributing less than"?

You can use alternatives like "under contributing compared to", "providing fewer resources than", or "not pulling their weight as much as" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "contributing less than" or "contributing fewer than"?

"Contributing less than" is generally used for uncountable nouns (e.g., effort, support), while "contributing fewer than" is used for countable nouns (e.g., ideas, resources).

What's the difference between "contributing less than" and "falling short of"?

"Contributing less than" is a direct comparison of contribution levels. "Falling short of" implies a failure to reach a specific target or expectation.