made a contribution to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "made a contribution to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing someone's involvement or input in a project, cause, or field of study. Example: "Her research made a significant contribution to the understanding of climate change."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Overseas nurses have always made a contribution to our NHS".

The Guardian

It's a great honour to have made a contribution to a sport that I love.

The Guardian - Sport

I am not saying that he could have made a contribution to a Nigerian liberation movement.

The New Yorker

Those concepts and research efforts have made a contribution to cloud computing.

The New York Times - Tech

We as a club have made a contribution to the fund.

The Guardian - Sport

He also made a contribution to the popularisation and history of ballet during the 20th century.

The Guardian

The carmakers have also made a contribution to the fund, which was originally set at $100m.

The Guardian

The prize is reserved for those who have made a contribution to the city or Ireland.

The Guardian

"He made a contribution to anything in physics in which he decided to participate," Bagley said.

The Washington Post

Fifty-seven percent said recent immigrants had made a contribution to the United States.

The New York Times

Then, in 1999, Steinbrenner went to see him, apologized, and made a contribution to his baseball museum.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "made a contribution to" when you want to emphasize the act of contributing rather than simply stating involvement. This phrase highlights the impact or value of the contribution.

Common error

Avoid using adjectives that reiterate the meaning of "contribution", such as "valuable contribution" or "significant contribution". The word "contribution" already implies value and significance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "made a contribution to" functions as a verb phrase, typically followed by a noun phrase. It indicates that someone or something has provided assistance, resources, or input that has added value or had a positive effect on a particular endeavor. Ludwig AI's examples show it used to describe impactful actions in various fields.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

29%

Academia

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "made a contribution to" is a versatile and commonly used expression to denote the act of providing assistance, resources, or input that has a positive effect. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and frequently appears in diverse contexts, including news, science, and academia. While alternatives like "contributed to" or "played a role in" are available, "made a contribution to" emphasizes the significance and value of the contribution. When using the phrase, avoid redundant adjectives that reiterate the inherent value of a contribution.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

contributed to

This is a shorter, more direct way of saying "made a contribution to", omitting the article.

added to

Indicates an increase or improvement resulting from the input.

played a role in

This alternative emphasizes the influence or part someone had in something.

helped advance

Focuses on furthering progress or development.

was instrumental in

Highlights a crucial or significant contribution.

assisted with

Suggests a helping role or support.

gave support to

Highlights the act of providing assistance or backing.

invested in

Implies dedication and resources allocated towards a specific goal.

had a hand in

Informal way of saying someone was involved or influenced something.

enhanced

Focuses solely on improving the condition of the item.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "made a contribution to" for variety?

You can use alternatives like "contributed to", "played a role in", or "assisted with" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "made a contribution to" or "contributed to"?

Both "made a contribution to" and "contributed to" are grammatically correct and can be used interchangeably. "Contributed to" is more concise, while "made a contribution to" can add emphasis to the action.

What is the difference between "made a contribution to" and "had an impact on"?

"Made a contribution to" suggests a direct action or input, whereas "had an impact on" implies a broader effect, which may or may not be the result of a direct contribution. For example, if someone "had an impact on" sales, it doesn't necessarily mean they made a direct contribution.

Can I use "made a contribution to" in formal writing?

Yes, "made a contribution to" is suitable for formal writing. It is a clear and professional way to express that someone has provided valuable input or assistance.