little contribution

USAGE SUMMARY

"little contribution" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a small, but significant, action or contribution that someone or something has made. For example, "His little contribution to the charity drive made a huge impact on the lives of those in need."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So I guess I made my own little contribution".

The New York Times

Little contribution was due to Al donors (AlZn).

Surface and Coatings Technology

Ian Bell made a critical little contribution on the final day to consolidate his place.

The Guardian - Sport

However, cutting speed and depth of cut showed little contribution to surface roughness.

Measurement

The magnetic Fe3O4 favored only the quick separation and had little contribution to adsorption.

Carbon

Economists from Capital Economics said that they expected little contribution to second-quarter growth.

The New York Times

The homogeneous leached iron species result in very little contribution to the overall photocatalytic process.

Applied Catalysis B: Environmental

Since Barron's work, a little contribution has been done to the equal strain model.

Soil and Tillage Research

Before this there had been little contribution from the Ivorian as he wandered around the periphery of the contest.

The Guardian - Sport

Jones paid all the mortgage and other outgoings and Kernott made "very little contribution to their maintenance and support".

The Guardian

Other factors, such as interfacial properties and phase morphology, seem to be little contribution to the modulus and tensile strength.

Polymer

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "little contribution" when you want to acknowledge a contribution that is small but still meaningful or necessary. Be mindful of the context to avoid minimizing the impact of someone's effort.

Common error

Avoid using "little contribution" in situations where the contribution is clearly substantial. This can undermine the intended message and appear disingenuous.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "little contribution" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and correctness across a spectrum of contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

35%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "little contribution" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a small but significant action or input. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is widely used across various contexts, including science, news, and academia. While alternatives such as "minor input" or "small part" exist, "little contribution" carries a specific nuance of humility and understated importance. Remember to consider the context to ensure you're accurately conveying the value of the contribution without diminishing its significance. While typically neutral, avoid using it when the contribution is substantial, as it can weaken your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minor input

Emphasizes the small scale of the contribution.

small part

Focuses on the limited portion contributed.

modest share

Highlights the humble amount given.

slight addition

Stresses the incremental increase made.

negligible effect

Indicates the minimal impact of something.

token offering

Suggests a symbolic or insubstantial contribution.

limited involvement

Highlights the restricted participation.

insignificant role

Emphasizes the minor importance of the part played.

marginal impact

Focuses on the barely noticeable influence.

small donation

Specifically refers to a monetary or material contribution.

FAQs

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

You can use "little contribution" to describe something that has a small but significant impact. For example: "Even a "small donation" is a little contribution to the cause."

What are some alternatives to saying "little contribution"?

Alternatives include "minor input", "small part", or "modest share", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "small contribution" or "little contribution"?

Both "small contribution" and "little contribution" are grammatically correct and often interchangeable. The choice depends on stylistic preference, with "little" sometimes implying a more endearing or humble sense than "small".

What's the difference between "insignificant contribution" and "little contribution"?

"Insignificant contribution" suggests the contribution is practically worthless. "Little contribution" indicates it's small, but still valuable or needed. Therefore, "little contribution" has a more positive connotation.