donation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "donation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a gift or contribution, typically of money or goods, given to a charitable organization or cause. Example: "We are grateful for your generous donation to the local food bank."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In an open letter, FFA chairman Frank Lowy said the donation to Concacaf was a "compromise," with Australia initially asked to donate $4m to the organisation.

The Guardian - Sport

Read profiles of our 10 chosen charities, see our pick of their photographs and make a donation in the Christmas Charity Appeal area of our site.

The Guardian

But, in practice, it is hard to feel that my decision-making powers have been weakened because when I got my driver's license enrolling in organ donation was the default option.

The New York Times

One example is the HPV vaccination programme for cervical cancer in Rwanda, enabled by a donation from Merck.

The Guardian

This might not be a problem if it were a drug for TB, malaria or AIDS – but critics of the HPV donation asked why cervical cancer received such a comprehensive effort in Rwanda – reaching 95% for 11-year-old girls when disease incidence lags well behind other vaccine-preventable diseases in the developing world (read the Rwandan health minister's persuasive rebuttal).

The Guardian

In 2010, Wood made reportedly the largest ever single political donation in Australian history, giving the Green party A$1.6m £1mm) to enable it to mount a prime-time TV advertising campaign.

The Guardian

Blair's six-figure donation was accepted by Labour last week, with the party saying it was "delighted" that he was backing Ed Miliband's campaign for Downing Street with his own money.

The Guardian

Appearing on ABC at the end of a week in which he declared a run for the Democratic nomination well to the left of Clinton, the independent senator from Vermont said on his first day as a candidate he had attracted 100,000 supporters and raised $1.5m at an average donation of $43.

The Guardian

"When Concacaf contacted us to say they were conducting an inquiry into its accounts, we provided information about our donation," Lowy said.

The Guardian - Sport

Only a few months later, the Morningside Foundation, led by Hong Kong venture capitalists Ronnie and Gerald Chan, topped that with a $350m donation to the school of public health, where Gerald earned his master's and doctorate degrees.

The Guardian - Business

On the opening day of the latest Independent Commission Against Corruption (Icac) inquiry in Sydney, it was claimed that the Liberal upper house MP Marie Ficarra took a banned $5,000 donation from a property developer, Tony Merhi.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Acknowledge all donations promptly and appropriately. Express gratitude and explain how the contribution will make a difference.

Common error

Avoid using the verb "donate" as a noun. The correct noun form is "donation". For example, say "We appreciate your donation" instead of "We appreciate your donate".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "donation" is as a noun, representing a voluntary contribution or gift, typically for a charitable or specific cause. Ludwig confirms its usability and correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "donation" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun that refers to a voluntary contribution, often for charitable causes. As supported by Ludwig, the term is widely accepted and appropriate for both formal and informal contexts. Its usage is especially prevalent in news and media, where it objectively describes acts of giving. For alternative expressions, consider "contribution" or "gift", depending on the nuance you wish to convey. Remember to use "donation" as a noun and avoid using "donate" in its place.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Contribution

A general term for giving something, similar to donation but can refer to effort or time as well.

Gift

Implies giving something without expecting anything in return, often used in personal contexts.

Charitable giving

Specifically refers to giving to charities or non-profit organizations.

Philanthropic contribution

Emphasizes the act of giving to improve society or help others, often involving significant amounts.

Endowment

A large donation made to an institution to provide ongoing support.

Bequest

A donation made through a will after someone's death.

Offering

Often used in religious contexts to describe a gift or contribution.

Grant

Funds given by a government or organization for a specific purpose.

Subsidy

Financial assistance provided by the government to support an industry or activity.

Alms

Money or food given to poor people.

FAQs

How is "donation" used in a sentence?

The word "donation" is used to refer to a voluntary contribution or gift, often made to a charity or cause. For example, "The organization gratefully accepted the generous "donation" from the local business".

What are some synonyms for "donation"?

Alternatives to "donation" include "contribution", "gift", and "offering". The best choice depends on the specific context.

What is the difference between a "donation" and a "contribution"?

While both words refer to giving something, "donation" typically refers to giving money or goods to a non-profit or charitable organization. "Contribution" is a broader term that can also refer to effort, time, or ideas.

Is it correct to say "make a donate" instead of "make a donation"?

No, the correct phrase is "make a "donation"". "Donate" is a verb, while "donation" is the noun form.