make a modest contribution to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make a modest contribution to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to refer to financially supporting or helping with a cause or a group in some way. For example: "I am happy to make a modest contribution to the disaster relief effort."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

This movie might itself make a modest contribution to rewriting the history of white South Africa.

The Guardian - Film

However, the director, a keen patriot, eager to make "a modest contribution to the common task and struggle", writes to the authorities and suggests they save money by sending the zoo an inflatable rubber elephant instead.

The Guardian - Books

The government's own admission that the reforms will only make a "modest" contribution to its target of reducing net migration was repeatedly highlighted during the debate: "The word 'bonkers' springs to mind," said Stuart McDonald, an SNP MP. "If the so-called gain is a modest one, why inflict so much pain?" Gillian Brown, 26, is one of the Australians at the receiving end of that pain.

The Guardian - Money

Relatively, residential customers make a modest contribution to peak load reduction.

Journal of Modern Power Systems and Clean Energy

While the other amelogenin isoforms make a modest contribution to optimal biomechanical design, the enamel made with only one amelogenin isoform served as a functional substitute.

Biomaterials

Rivlin add this: "That such action (benefit cutting) will make a modest contribution to reducing long run deficits is a serendipitous by-product, not the central motivation".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Favourable trends in the behavioural risk factors made a modest contribution to deaths prevented or postponed; the drop in smoking rates contributed to approximately 210 fewer deaths or 4% (table 4).

British Medical Journal

The GST only makes a modest contribution to state revenues, even though 60 percent of it is returned to the province of origin.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"The United States, along with other nations, has made a modest contribution to flood assistance," a senior State Department official said on the condition of anonymity in mid-September, after Washington's decision to grant $900,000 in flood relief for the North.

The New York Times

In return for getting their tax rate reduced by a fifth — for manufacturers, the cut would be even larger — and for being allowed to repatriate their overseas profits, surely they shouldn't mind making a modest contribution to the Treasury.

The New Yorker

Furthermore, L2 linguistic knowledge makes a modest contribution to L2 listening proficiency through reducing L2 listening anxiety.

Asian-Pacific Journal of Second and Foreign Language Education

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "make a modest contribution to", ensure that the context aligns with the understanding that the contribution is not substantial but still valuable. It is best suited for situations where you want to acknowledge the impact of even a small effort.

Common error

Avoid using "make a modest contribution to" when the contribution is actually significant. Using it in such cases can diminish the perceived impact of the contribution.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make a modest contribution to" functions as a verb phrase that indicates an action of providing support or assistance, typically of a small or limited scale. As Ludwig AI suggests, it generally references supporting or helping a cause or a group.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "make a modest contribution to" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that signifies providing a small but valuable form of assistance or support. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is typically used to refer to financially supporting or helping a cause or group. Analysis of Ludwig examples shows its usage across various contexts, including science, news media, and encyclopedias. While the phrase is neutral in register, it's essential to ensure that the contribution is indeed modest and not overstated. Related phrases like "offer a small contribution to" or "play a minor role in" offer alternative ways to express a similar idea with slight nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

offer a small contribution to

Replaces "make" with "offer" and "modest" with "small", slightly altering the nuance.

provide a limited contribution to

Substitutes "make" with "provide" and "modest" with "limited", indicating a restricted amount of support.

give a slight boost to

Changes the framing from contribution to a "boost", implying an increase or improvement.

lend a helping hand to

Uses a more idiomatic expression, focusing on providing assistance.

play a minor role in

Shifts the focus to the degree of involvement in a particular outcome.

assist in a small way with

Highlights the act of assisting, but emphasizes the limited scale.

support to a limited extent

Focuses on offering support, but qualifies it as limited.

chip in a bit for

Employs a more informal, colloquial term for contributing.

add a small amount to

Focuses on the addition of a small quantity.

put a drop in the bucket for

Uses an idiomatic expression highlighting the small impact relative to the overall need.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "make a modest contribution to"?

You can use alternatives like "offer a small contribution to", "provide a limited contribution to", or "play a minor role in", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "make a modest contribution to" in formal writing?

Yes, it is appropriate. The phrase is suitable for formal writing, but consider whether a stronger verb or a more precise description of the contribution would be more effective. Alternatives such as "provide a limited contribution to" or "assist in a small way with" may also be suitable.

What does it mean to "make a modest contribution to" something?

It means to provide a small amount of help, support, or resources to a particular cause, project, or effort. The contribution is not large or substantial but is still considered valuable.

When should I NOT use the phrase "make a modest contribution to"?

Avoid using "make a modest contribution to" when the impact is significant or the effort is substantial. In such cases, phrases like "make a significant contribution to" or "play a major role in" would be more appropriate.