make a useful contribution

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make a useful contribution" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the act of providing something valuable or beneficial to a project, discussion, or community. Example: "By volunteering at the local shelter, I hope to make a useful contribution to the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

Concepts used in social epidemiology can make a useful contribution to health services research because the underlying social factors do not only influence health but are also related to health care.

BMC Health Services Research

The positive and negative LRs for the above comparisons were 16.5, 5.4, 6.7 and 4.7 and 0.06, 0.11, 0.07 and 0.19, respectively, indicating that this test would make a useful contribution to clinical decision making but would not be useful for screening purposes.

British Journal of Cancer

Yes, I still believe that nuclear power can make a useful contribution to low-carbon energy.

The Guardian - Opinion

The whole operation, viewed from the ceiling, might make a useful contribution to mathematical Game Theory.

Independent

The second area in which DfID can make a useful contribution is through its influence on the wider development agenda.

The Guardian

Then there's the private sector, which can often make a useful contribution to humanitarian response, the seminar heard.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

Given known difficulties approaching non-participants, we believe information about reasons for participation makes a useful contribution for future studies using postal surveys.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

The two studies described here have made a useful contribution towards the psychometric validation of two well-being questionnaires for use in adult growth hormone deficiency: the General Well-being Index and the 12-item version of the Well-being Questionnaire.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

"This makes a useful contribution to the debate but is not a major policy document," he said.

The New York Times

That suggests Camden tenants may be making a useful contribution to IDS's housing benefit savings target.

The Guardian

His discussion of the various intellectual players is well informed, and he makes a useful contribution to understanding the contending variations of modern American conservatism.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to be concise, consider using stronger verbs like "enhance", "improve", or "advance" to replace "make a useful contribution to".

Common error

While "make a useful contribution" is generally acceptable, overuse can make your writing sound passive. Vary your language by actively demonstrating how the contribution is valuable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make a useful contribution" functions as a verb phrase, expressing the act of providing something beneficial or valuable. As Ludwig AI explains, it is grammatically correct and widely applicable. Examples show its use in various contexts, from scientific research to community involvement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

49%

News & Media

43%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "make a useful contribution" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate the act of providing something beneficial or valuable. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and broad applicability. It is versatile, fitting into diverse contexts such as science, news, and business, with a generally neutral register. While effective, varying your language with stronger verbs can enhance your writing. Remember to consider the impact and use synonyms like "add significant value" to provide greater emphasis. This phrase is widely applicable and well-regarded across various domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

provide valuable input

Focuses on the act of providing something useful.

offer a beneficial addition

Emphasizes the positive impact of the contribution.

lend a helping hand effectively

Highlights the active and supportive aspect of the contribution.

play a constructive role

Indicates a deliberate and positive part in a process.

add significant value

Stresses the importance and worth of the contribution.

be instrumental in

Suggests a crucial and decisive role in achieving something.

make a practical addition

Emphasizes the practicality and usability of the contribution.

supply a needed element

Highlights the essential and necessary aspect of what is provided.

benefit the outcome

Concentrates on the positive results deriving from the contribution.

have a positive impact

Focuses on the effect of the action.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "make a useful contribution" in a professional context?

In a professional setting, consider using stronger verbs such as "enhance", "improve", or "advance". For example, instead of "make a useful contribution to the project", you could say "enhance the project".

What are some synonyms for "make a useful contribution" that emphasize impact?

To emphasize the impact, try using phrases like "add significant value", "have a positive impact", or "be instrumental in".

Is it ever incorrect to use the phrase "make a useful contribution"?

While grammatically correct, overuse can lead to wordy or passive writing. Ensure that the context warrants the phrase and that there isn't a more direct or impactful way to express the same idea. For example instead of "making a useful contribution to the team" you can say "enhance the team".

What's the difference between "make a useful contribution" and "make a significant contribution"?

"Make a useful contribution" implies the contribution is helpful or practical, while "make a significant contribution" suggests the contribution is notably important or impactful. The choice depends on the magnitude of the contribution you want to convey.