made a small contribution to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "made a small contribution to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the act of giving or adding something of minor significance to a project, cause, or effort. Example: "She made a small contribution to the charity event, helping to raise awareness for the cause."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

I can only hope my efforts have made a small contribution to repairing old damage.

The Guardian

I simply made a small contribution to a match that was very tough, very rough".

The New York Times - Sports

"I'm thrilled to have made a small contribution to and now be part of the Doctor Who universe," he said.

Independent

After a life of voting Republican, he said, he recently made a small contribution to the Democratic presidential campaign of Barack Obama.

The New York Times - Magazine

But as governor, Bernanke made a small contribution to a problem that would blossom in a big way on his watch.

The New York Times - Magazine

But her high notes brighten our gloom, and her antics have made a small contribution to the gaiety of the nation.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

However, the role of fear of a positive test result changed over time, such that it made a smaller contribution to the explanation of variance in 2010 than it had done in 2000.

HIV Medicine

"I hope this will make a small contribution to pushing our prime minister forward.

The New York Times

It would surely generate enough heat, and light, to make a small contribution to the Bush energy plan.

The New York Times

But redistribution of surplus food at retail level only makes a small contribution to alleviate poverty and it's not a solution to hunger in the UK".

The Guardian

Children are hugely expensive – and child benefit is the state's way of acknowledging the financial hit to parents, and making a small contribution to offset it.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "made a small contribution to" to acknowledge even minor efforts, as every contribution, regardless of size, is valuable and worthy of recognition.

Common error

Avoid using "made a small contribution to" when the contribution was actually significant. Use stronger phrases like "played a key role in" or "substantially impacted" to accurately reflect the contribution's importance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "made a small contribution to" acts as a verb phrase functioning to describe an action, where someone or something has provided a minor element, effort, or input towards a specific outcome or purpose. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

38%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "made a small contribution to" is used to describe a minor but meaningful participation or input toward a specific result. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. It's versatile, fitting into various contexts, including news, media, and science. While it's important to ensure the context accurately reflects the minor nature of the contribution, it serves the purpose of acknowledging effort without exaggerating impact. Alternative phrases like "offered a minor assistance to" or "provided a slight input into" can be employed for variety. The phrase maintains a neutral register, suitable for a range of communications and while not overly formal it's a strong phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

offered a minor assistance to

Focuses on offering help, with an emphasis on the limited scale of support.

provided a slight input into

Highlights the act of giving input, stressing its minimal impact on the situation.

played a limited role in

Emphasizes the restricted involvement in a particular activity or project.

added a marginal value to

Stresses the addition of value, emphasizing its small significance.

assisted in a minor capacity

Highlights the assistance provided, focusing on the limited extent of the involvement.

lent a small hand to

Uses an idiom to convey the idea of providing minimal help or support.

gave a modest boost to

Focuses on giving a boost, but implies that it had a limited effect.

partook in a limited way

Highlights the participation, stressing its minimal effect.

chipped in a small amount for

Indicates contributing something, with emphasis on the small quantity.

had a tangential effect on

Focuses on effect emphasizing indirect and small influence.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "made a small contribution to"?

Alternatives include "offered a minor assistance to", "provided a slight input into", or "played a limited role in", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "made a small contribution to" in formal writing?

Yes, "made a small contribution to" is suitable for formal writing when accurately describing a minor contribution. Ensure the tone aligns with the overall formality of the document.

What's the difference between "made a small contribution to" and "made a significant contribution to"?

The key difference lies in the impact of the contribution. "Made a small contribution to" indicates a minor impact, while "made a significant contribution to" implies a substantial and important impact.

How to ensure I'm not overstating the importance when using "made a small contribution to"?

Carefully assess the actual impact of the contribution. If it was truly minor, "made a small contribution to" is appropriate. If the impact was more substantial, consider using stronger phrases like "significantly influenced" or "played a vital role".