desire to contribute

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "desire to contribute" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a wish or intention to add value or help in a particular context, such as teamwork or community service. Example: "I have a strong desire to contribute to the success of our project and support my colleagues in any way I can."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A desire to contribute?

The New Yorker

"It's a continuing desire to contribute, but not knowing how," he said.

The New York Times

We have no desire to contribute to the cause of literature in so backhanded a fashion.

The New Yorker

But essentially we're talking about a desire to contribute to the common good and to improve one's country.

The Guardian - Opinion

Friends say he was motivated by a genuine and selfless desire to contribute, but also note a socially ambitious side.

The Guardian

Justin: I think that reviewers most often join PRSM just out of a desire to contribute to the profession.

Harvard University

I do not question the sincerity of Cameron's desire to contribute to the eradication of extreme poverty; It's that just his approach does not stack up.

The Guardian

SFX's desire to contribute to building an arena is tied to its music promotion business and ownership of 120 concert and entertainment venues across the country.

The New York Times - Sports

Her mother, Lynn Koch, in her passionate desire to contribute and to serve, embodied the best values of humanity and the HM community.

The New York Times

Union workers went downtown in response to city appeals for help, as well as a spontaneous desire to contribute to the rescue effort.

The New York Times

His desire to contribute money merely indicates that he is duplicitous -- a trait that one must suspect is shared widely among President Bush's international coalition.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "desire to contribute" when you want to express a genuine and proactive intention to add value, participate, or help in a given situation. It's suitable for both professional and personal contexts.

Common error

While generally acceptable, using "desire to contribute" repeatedly in highly formal documents can sound slightly repetitive. Consider varying your language with alternatives like "aspiration to contribute" or "intention to contribute" for a more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "desire to contribute" functions as a noun phrase expressing a subjective inclination or motivation. It specifies a personal aspiration to add value or participate actively in a particular activity or cause. Ludwig AI confirms its usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Academia

24%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

12%

Cover Letter

1%

Unknown/unmatched sources

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "desire to contribute" is a versatile and widely used expression to convey a willingness to add value or participate actively in a particular setting. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically sound and suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, academic, and professional environments. While "desire to contribute" is generally acceptable, you can vary your language with alternatives for a more sophisticated tone using alternatives such as "aspiration to contribute" or "intention to contribute". Remember that while the phrase itself is correct, using more concise and direct wording can enhance the clarity and impact of your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

aspiration to contribute

Replaces "desire" with a more ambitious and long-term goal.

desire to assist

Substitutes "contribute" with a broader term implying help or support.

determination to contribute

Replaces "desire" with a stronger term emphasizing resolve.

eagerness to contribute

Replaces "desire" with a term highlighting enthusiasm and readiness.

intention to contribute

Focuses on the planned action rather than the emotional drive.

desire to participate

Shifts the focus to active involvement.

willingness to contribute

Highlights the readiness and consent to be involved.

intent to contribute

Similar to "intention", but with a slightly more formal tone.

longing to contribute

Emphasizes a deep, emotional yearning to be involved.

wish to contribute

Replaces desire with a more polite and gentle term.

FAQs

How can I use "desire to contribute" in a sentence?

You can use "desire to contribute" to express a wish or intention to add value or help in a particular context, such as teamwork or community service. For example, "I have a strong "desire to contribute" to the success of our project".

What are some alternatives to "desire to contribute"?

You can use alternatives like "eagerness to contribute", "willingness to contribute", or "aspiration to contribute" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "desire to contribute" or "want to contribute"?

"Desire to contribute" is generally considered more formal and conveys a stronger sense of commitment compared to "want to contribute", which is more casual. The best choice depends on the context and your intended tone.

What is the difference between "desire to contribute" and "desire to participate"?

"Desire to contribute" implies a wish to add value or make a meaningful difference, while "desire to participate" simply indicates a wish to be involved. Contributing suggests a more active and impactful role.