make a real contribution

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make a real contribution" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the impact or value of someone's efforts or input in a particular context, such as work, community service, or collaborative projects. Example: "By volunteering at the local shelter, she hopes to make a real contribution to her community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This campaign will make a real contribution".

The Guardian

Motivated students working on meaningful projects can make a real contribution.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"This is an area where I can make a real contribution," he said.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

They need to acknowledge that part-time workers can make a real contribution".

Independent

As the country in Europe with the biggest defence budget we can make a real contribution.

The Guardian

"Some of these people have gone on to make a real contribution in schools," says Hannigan.

The Guardian

This campaign will make a real contribution". We hope he's right.

The Guardian

Together, maybe we can make a real contribution to the world.

The New York Times

Freixas and Rochet make a real contribution to the profession by integrating a disparate but growing literature on intermediation.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"I'm looking forward to more opportunities to play for the first team so that I can make a real contribution".

Independent

We get many calls to use that space from people who could make a real contribution to the neighborhood".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "make a real contribution", ensure the context clearly defines what the contribution is and to whom or what it benefits. Specificity enhances the impact of the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "make a real contribution" in contexts where the actual impact is minimal or unproven. Ensure your statement is supported by tangible results or demonstrable effort.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make a real contribution" functions as a verb phrase, often acting as the predicate of a sentence. It expresses the action of providing something valuable or impactful. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a grammatically correct and widely used expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Academia

26%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Science

6%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "make a real contribution" is a versatile and commonly used expression to describe the act of providing something valuable or impactful. As Ludwig AI affirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. It's suitable for various contexts, ranging from news reports and academic papers to business communications, with a primary function of expressing intent, capability, or participation in a beneficial activity. While "make a real contribution" is generally appropriate, it's crucial to ensure that the context supports the claim of a genuine and meaningful contribution, avoiding overstatement or unsubstantiated assertions. Alternative phrases like "offer a substantial contribution" or "provide a significant contribution" can be used to add nuance or formality depending on the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

offer a substantial contribution

Replaces "make" with "offer" and "real" with "substantial", emphasizing the act of providing something significant.

provide a significant contribution

Replaces "make" with "provide" and "real" with "significant", highlighting the importance of the contribution.

give a meaningful contribution

Replaces "make" with "give" and "real" with "meaningful", focusing on the impact and value of the contribution.

have a positive impact

Shifts the focus from the contribution itself to its effect, using "positive impact" instead.

play a key role

Emphasizes the importance of the role someone plays in achieving a goal, rather than the contribution itself.

be instrumental in

Highlights the essential nature of someone's involvement in a process or achievement.

add significant value

Focuses on the value added by someone's actions or input, rather than the act of contributing itself.

make a tangible difference

Emphasizes a noticeable impact and practical effect.

influence positively

Highlights affecting something for the better.

serve effectively

Emphasizes capability of the action.

FAQs

How can I use "make a real contribution" in a sentence?

You can use "make a real contribution" to describe how someone's actions benefit a group, project, or cause. For example, "By volunteering their time, they hope to "make a real contribution" to the community."

What is a more formal alternative to "make a real contribution"?

In formal settings, consider using phrases like "provide a significant contribution", "offer a substantial contribution" or "render an instrumental service".

How does "make a real contribution" differ from "make a difference"?

"Make a real contribution" implies providing something tangible or valuable, whereas "make a real difference" suggests having a significant impact, which may not always be directly measurable.

Is it appropriate to use "make a real contribution" in a cover letter?

Yes, it can be used in a cover letter to express your intention to positively impact the company, but provide specific examples or skills to back up your claim. Avoid generic statements and instead showcase how you plan to "make a real contribution" to their goals.