contribution to knowledge

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "contribution to knowledge" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in academic or research contexts to refer to the addition of new information or insights to a particular field of study. Example: "The researcher's findings represent a significant contribution to knowledge in the field of environmental science."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Publication should make a contribution to knowledge and to my career development strategy.

The Guardian

That is why "negative" papers like Dr He's are actually a positive contribution to knowledge.

The Economist

The idea of a PhD, after all, is to make an original contribution to knowledge.

The Economist

But I know that no matter what else happens, I will have done something to make a contribution to knowledge".

The New York Times - Books

Our universities are second only to the US in terms of their contribution to knowledge creation and innovation.

The Guardian

We continue to commit to supporting research in this area through a number of collaborations that aim to make a genuine contribution to knowledge in this field.

The Guardian

He praises the BLitt system, as opposed to working for a PhD, "because it cuts free of that 'making an original contribution to knowledge' business.

The Guardian - Books

When we look at them, fascination and repulsion uneasily mixed, we bow our heads to their contribution to knowledge, but it is hard to locate their humanity.

The Guardian - Books

As a result, they choose to fill that gap by writing an ebook which is often shorter than a traditional textbook but which is makes an important contribution to knowledge.

The Guardian

There is no question that the Gospel of Judas, a third-century Coptic copy of a second-century Greek Gnostic text, is a major contribution to knowledge about Gnosticism and early Christianity.

The New York Times

Though writing in the weekly its author formerly edited, Hensher found the biography "negligible" as "a contribution to knowledge", "written in something of a hurry" and interesting only when addressing Churchill's literary style.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing research, clarify how your work offers a novel "contribution to knowledge" and what distinguishes it from existing scholarship. Be specific about the area of impact.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the importance of your "contribution to knowledge". Overstating the impact can undermine credibility. Instead, provide a balanced assessment of its scope and limitations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "contribution to knowledge" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or the complement of a preposition. Ludwig AI examples show it used to describe the impact or value of research, publications, or other scholarly activities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Wiki

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "contribution to knowledge" is a grammatically correct and commonly used noun phrase, primarily found in academic, scientific, and formal contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it signifies the addition of new insights or information to a particular field. While alternatives like "addition to understanding" or "advancement of learning" exist, "contribution to knowledge" remains a direct and widely recognized way to describe the impact of research and scholarly work. When using this phrase, it's crucial to accurately represent the significance of the contribution, avoiding both overstatement and vagueness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

addition to understanding

Focuses on the increase in comprehension rather than the act of providing.

advancement of learning

Highlights the progression of learning in a particular field.

enrichment of knowledge

Emphasizes the improvement and enhancement of existing knowledge.

furtherance of understanding

Similar to 'addition to understanding', but with a slightly more formal tone.

expansion of knowledge

Focuses on the broadening of the scope of knowledge.

development of insights

Shifts the emphasis to the evolution and growth of new insights.

progress in understanding

Highlights advancement and development in comprehension.

knowledge enhancement

Focuses on improving the quality and accessibility of knowledge.

insights development

Similar to 'development of insights', but emphasizes the creation of new perspectives.

scholarly input

Specifies the kind of contribution, in the form of scholarly work.

FAQs

How can I demonstrate that my research makes a "contribution to knowledge"?

Highlight the novelty of your findings, explain how they extend or challenge existing theories, and discuss the potential impact on future research or practice. Provide concrete evidence and avoid vague claims.

What are some alternatives to using the phrase "contribution to knowledge"?

You can use alternatives like "addition to understanding", "advancement of learning", or "enrichment of knowledge" depending on the specific context.

What distinguishes a significant "contribution to knowledge" from a minor one?

A significant "contribution to knowledge" typically introduces novel insights, challenges existing paradigms, has broad implications for the field, and opens avenues for future research. A minor one might confirm existing findings or offer incremental improvements.

Is it acceptable to use "contribution to knowledge" in a non-academic context?

While primarily used in academic and research settings, "contribution to knowledge" can be appropriate in any context where new information or understanding is being added to a specific area, such as in professional development or community initiatives.