it contributes little

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it contributes little" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that something has minimal impact or significance in a particular context. Example: "While the new policy was implemented, it contributes little to improving employee morale."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

But it contributes little, if any, research value.

The New York Times

It contributes little to welfare gains, most of which come from stabilisation achieved through public storage.

European Economic Review

Additionally, gypsum seems to be the major expansive product at late ages and it contributes little to expansion.

Construction and Building Materials

Even if Iran's middle class is finding ways to live decently, it contributes little to the economy.

The New Yorker

The result shows that using single-defect coupled cavity in waveguide is beneficial to obtain larger Normalized Delay-Bandwidth Product (NDBP) but it contributes little to decrease the group velocity of light and enlarging Q factor and delay time; While using two-defect cavity in waveguide can efficiently reduce the group velocity of light and enlarge Q factor and delay time.

Optics & Laser Technology

However, with the oxygen amount below the stoichiometric amount, it contributes little to the concentration of the dissolved oxygen[4].

International Journal of Industrial Chemistry

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

It contributed little to how I saw myself.

The New Yorker

German prostitute Leopold Leisser was lined up to testify about bisexual Shrien Dewani's double life, but his court appearance was reduced to little more than a 15-minute offering after the judge decided it contributed little to the evidence already submitted as part of Dewani's witness statement.

The Guardian

The "Blitz," as the night raids came to be called, was to cause many deaths and great hardship for the civilian population, but it contributed little to the main purpose of the air offensive to dominate the skies in advance of an invasion of England.

Britannica

However, it contributed little to access to clean and safe drinking water supply and socio-economic development.

Environmental Systems Research

This type of intervention was found to be effective in temporarily reducing muscular hypertonia and maintaining the flexibility of joints for stroke and spinal cord injury [ 129]; however, it contributed little to a permanent motor recovery in the central nervous system after stroke [ 129, 130].

BioMed Research International

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it contributes little", ensure the context clearly identifies what "it" refers to and what it is contributing little to. This maintains clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "it contributes little" when the subject actually detracts or causes harm. "Contributes little" implies a small, almost negligible positive impact, not a negative one.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it contributes little" functions as a qualifier, indicating that something provides a minimal or insignificant contribution. It modifies a statement by downplaying the impact or effect of a particular subject. Ludwig AI confirms this is a standard grammatical construction.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

38%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it contributes little" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that signifies a minimal impact or contribution. Ludwig AI validates its proper usage. While its frequency is uncommon, it finds application across diverse domains like science and news media. When employing this phrase, ensuring the context clearly defines "it" and the recipient of the limited contribution enhances clarity and mitigates ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it barely contributes

Emphasizes the extremely small or negligible contribution.

it has minimal impact

Focuses on the lack of significant influence or effect.

it offers little benefit

Highlights the scarcity of positive outcomes or advantages.

it adds little value

Underscores the lack of worth or usefulness.

it makes a small difference

Acknowledges a contribution, but emphasizes its insignificance.

it scarcely helps

Suggests that the contribution is so small it's almost unhelpful.

it hardly assists

Similar to 'scarcely helps', but with a slightly more formal tone.

it negligibly aids

Indicates that the assistance provided is so small as to be almost irrelevant.

it has a marginal effect

Emphasizes that the effect is at the outer edge of being noticeable.

it plays a minor role

Highlights the subordinate or secondary nature of the contribution.

FAQs

How can I use "it contributes little" in a sentence?

Use "it contributes little" to express that something has a minimal impact or provides a negligible benefit. For example, "While the new policy was implemented, "it contributes little" to improving employee morale".

What are some alternatives to saying "it contributes little"?

You can use alternatives like "it has minimal impact", "it adds little value", or "it makes a small difference" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "it contributes little" or "it contributes nothing"?

"It contributes little" suggests a small positive contribution, while "it contributes nothing" implies a complete lack of contribution. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the situation.

What's the difference between "it contributes little" and "it detracts"?

"It contributes little" means something has a small, almost negligible positive effect. "It detracts" means something has a negative effect. The two phrases are opposites.