making a contribution to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "making a contribution to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the act of providing something valuable or helpful to a cause, project, or group. Example: "She is making a contribution to the community by volunteering at the local shelter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I took the view that we ought to be making a contribution to sustainability".

The Guardian

Working with Joe then, you had a sense that you were making a contribution to society".

The New York Times

On one level, it's volunteer work -- making a contribution to scholarship or cleaning up an environment.

The New York Times

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution to the Manchester Music Festival.

The New York Times

"It's an awful deterrence to making a contribution to the country that took you in.

The New York Times

Wayne is making a contribution to the team so I am satisfied with him".

Independent

Thus it offers the opportunity to invest in and support local projects, while making a contribution to cutting carbon.

The Guardian

"Our company is making a contribution to the community, and I find it personally rewarding," he said.

The New York Times

I think you gain sanity by making a contribution to society through work and maintaining some kind of love relationship.

The Guardian

Besides making a contribution to customers' health, restaurant owners are finding that the move is paying off financially.

The New York Times

True, in many towns and cities there are thriving lesbian and gay communities making a contribution to local economies.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "making a contribution to", ensure that the context clearly defines what is being contributed and to what or whom the contribution is being made. Specificity enhances clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase without specifying the nature of the contribution. For example, instead of saying "They are making a contribution to the project", specify what they are contributing: "They are making a significant financial contribution to the project".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "making a contribution to" functions as a gerund phrase, often serving as the subject or part of the verb phrase in a sentence. It describes an ongoing action of providing support, resources, or effort towards a specific goal or entity. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "making a contribution to" is a versatile and frequently used expression in English, as confirmed by Ludwig. Grammatically, it functions as a gerund phrase that denotes active participation and support towards a specific cause, project, or group. It is most commonly found in news media, scientific publications, and formal business settings. While the phrase is considered grammatically correct, it is important to specify the nature of the contribution to avoid vagueness. Alternatives such as "contributing to" or "offering support to" can be used depending on the context and desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

contributing to

Omits the gerund form "making", offering a more direct action verb. It maintains a similar meaning but with slightly less emphasis on the process.

offering support to

Replaces "contribution" with "support", focusing on the act of providing assistance rather than a tangible contribution. The tone is slightly less formal.

providing assistance to

Similar to "offering support to", this phrase emphasizes the act of helping. It is slightly more formal than "offering support".

assisting with

Indicates providing help or support. It is somewhat interchangeable but slightly more formal than 'helping with'.

aiding in

A more concise and direct alternative, "aiding in" focuses on providing help to achieve a specific outcome. It's generally more formal.

helping with

An informal and straightforward way to express contributing. It is generally used in less formal contexts.

playing a role in

Emphasizes the involvement or participation in a process, rather than a direct contribution. The level of impact might be less significant.

investing in

Highlights the aspect of committing resources (time, money, effort) with the expectation of future benefits or impact.

devoting resources to

Highlights a dedication of time, effort, or materials towards a specific cause or project. Emphasizes commitment and investment.

giving back to

Suggests a reciprocal action, often used in the context of community or charitable work, where one is returning benefits received earlier.

FAQs

How can I use "making a contribution to" in a sentence?

Use "making a contribution to" to show active participation and support. For example, "She is "making a contribution to" the team by leading the research efforts".

What are some alternatives to "making a contribution to"?

Alternatives include "contributing to", "offering support to", or "providing assistance to". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

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

The choice depends on the grammatical structure of your sentence. Use "make a contribution to" as an infinitive or imperative. Use "making a contribution to" as a gerund or part of a continuous verb tense. For example, "We should make a contribution to the charity" versus "We are "making a contribution to" the charity".

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

"Making a contribution to" suggests providing something tangible or intangible to support a cause or project. "Making a difference to" implies having a positive impact or effect on something. While related, they are not interchangeable. For example, you might "make a contribution to" a fundraising campaign, which in turn "makes a difference to" the lives of those the charity supports.