fundamental contribution

USAGE SUMMARY

"fundamental contribution" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to an important or significant contribution to something, particularly a contribution that is necessary for something to function or be successful. For example, "This paper provides a fundamental contribution to our understanding of the climate crisis."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Elections make a fundamental contribution to democratic governance.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A fundamental contribution to a new design culture.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Her dissertation became what Grove calls "a fundamental contribution" to her field.

MIT Technology Review

Thales inadvertently made one other fundamental contribution to the development of natural science.

Britannica

Perhaps Flory's most fundamental contribution was initiated at Standard Oil and elaborated during his Cornell years.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Life Under Pressure is a fundamental contribution to understanding the background of this change.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The fundamental contribution of the stripping was experimentally measured through tests with nitrogen.

Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering

Simulations will give a fundamental contribution to lead the experiment development and to interpret its results.

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment

While higher education makes "a fundamental contribution to training a work force," she said, it should strive to be far more than that.

The New York Times

And the most fundamental contribution science could make might be to help the whole culture to look at childhood in this way.

The New York Times

We acknowledge the fundamental contribution of D. Brothwell (1933-2016) thishis research by initiating the archaeological study of dental calculus.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fundamental contribution" to emphasize the foundational or essential nature of an input or achievement. This highlights its critical importance to the overall outcome.

Common error

Avoid using "fundamental contribution" to describe minor or trivial inputs. Reserve it for situations where the contribution truly represents a core element or breakthrough.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fundamental contribution" functions as a noun phrase where 'fundamental' modifies 'contribution'. According to Ludwig, it indicates an essential or foundational element, highlighting its importance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

34%

Academia

23%

News & Media

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fundamental contribution" signifies a crucial and foundational element. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and denotes essential importance. It's frequently used in academic, scientific, and news contexts to highlight significant achievements or inputs. When writing, reserve this phrase for truly essential contributions and consider alternatives like "seminal contribution" or "significant contribution" for varied nuance. Emphasize the importance of the "fundamental contribution" in achieving a specific outcome.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

basic contribution

Focuses on the foundational aspect, implying simplicity or necessity.

seminal contribution

Highlights the pioneering and influential nature of the contribution.

indispensable contribution

Emphasizes the necessity and irreplaceability of the contribution.

significant contribution

Indicates the importance and impact of the contribution.

vital contribution

Stresses the crucial and life-sustaining role of the contribution.

essential contribution

Highlights the necessity and core importance of the contribution.

major contribution

Suggests a contribution that is large in scale or impact.

central contribution

Points to the contribution being a key element.

critical contribution

Indicates that the contribution is crucial for success or avoiding failure.

substantial contribution

Highlights the significant amount or size of the contribution.

FAQs

How can I use "fundamental contribution" in a sentence?

You can use "fundamental contribution" to describe something essential to an achievement. For example, "Her research was a "fundamental contribution" to the project's success".

What are some alternatives to "fundamental contribution"?

Alternatives include "seminal contribution", "essential contribution", or "significant contribution", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "fundamental contribution" in informal writing?

While grammatically correct, "fundamental contribution" is more suited to formal or academic writing. In informal contexts, simpler phrases like "key part" or "major help" might be more appropriate.

What makes a contribution "fundamental"?

A "fundamental contribution" is one that is foundational, essential, and significantly impacts the outcome or understanding of something. It is a core element without which the result would be substantially different or impossible.