making a contribution

USAGE SUMMARY

"making a contribution" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You could use it to refer to someone's effort to give or do something to help someone else or an organization, such as "Sally was proud of making a contribution to the charity event."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Please consider making a contribution.

The Washington Post

Making a contribution with my work.

The New York Times - Health

"So both sides are making a contribution.

The New York Times - Health

We hope you'll consider making a contribution.

The Guardian

Dennis said that his team would be making a contribution.

The Guardian - Sport

And I'm enjoying making a contribution in other ways.

The New York Times

"He feels he's making a contribution and making a difference.

The New York Times - Style

My conclusion is that, yes, we are making a contribution.

The Guardian - Tech

We are denying them the opportunity of making a contribution.

The Guardian

A number of donors cited the MoS article as the reason for making a contribution.

The Guardian - Opinion

She feels valued, is doing something of benefit to the community, is making a contribution.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "making a contribution", consider the specific context and the nature of the contribution. Be clear about what is being contributed and to whom or what it is benefiting. For example, "making a financial contribution" or "making a significant contribution to the project".

Common error

Avoid using "making a contribution" without specifying the nature or impact of the contribution. A statement like "He is making a contribution" lacks clarity. Instead, provide context: "He is "making a valuable contribution" to the research through his data analysis skills".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "making a contribution" typically functions as a verbal noun phrase, often serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It describes the act of contributing something, whether tangible or intangible. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Science

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "making a contribution" is a grammatically sound and very common phrase used to describe the act of providing something beneficial. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate for various contexts, including News & Media, Academia, and Formal & Business settings. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the nature and impact of the contribution. Consider using alternatives like "contributing" or "giving back" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

contributing

This alternative is a shorter, more direct verb form of "making a contribution".

giving back

This phrase emphasizes the idea of returning something positive to a community or society.

offering support

This suggests providing help or assistance to someone or something.

providing assistance

This phrase highlights the act of helping or aiding someone in need.

playing a part

This indicates being involved or having a role in a particular activity or project.

adding value

This emphasizes the idea of increasing the worth or importance of something.

helping out

This is an informal way of saying providing assistance or support.

being instrumental

This highlights the idea of being a key factor in achieving a particular outcome.

investing in

This suggests providing resources or support with the expectation of future benefits.

aiding and abetting

While 'aiding' is similar, 'abetting' implies encouragement of wrongdoing so context is crucial.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "making a contribution" in a sentence?

Depending on the context, you can replace "making a contribution" with alternatives such as "contributing", "giving back", or "providing assistance".

What does it mean to say someone is "making a contribution"?

Saying someone is "making a contribution" generally means they are providing help, resources, or effort towards a specific goal or cause, indicating they are "playing a part" in achieving something positive.

Is it better to say "make a contribution" or "making a contribution"?

The choice between "make a contribution" and "making a contribution" depends on the sentence structure. "Make a contribution" is often used as an infinitive or imperative, while "making a contribution" is used in continuous tenses or as a gerund. For example, "We want to make a contribution" vs. "We are making a contribution now".

What is the difference between "making a contribution" and "making a difference"?

"Making a contribution" implies providing something of value, whereas "making a difference" suggests having a significant impact or positive effect. While related, "making a difference" often carries a stronger connotation of noticeable change.