making a meaningful contribution

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "making a meaningful contribution" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used 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 is making a meaningful contribution to her community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

ALISON BEARD: Or, making a meaningful contribution anymore.

Harvard Business Review

Convinced that the organization needs them, purposeful managers feel accountable for making a meaningful contribution.

Harvard Business Review

No longer will society require us to schlep from place to place under the pretext of making a meaningful contribution to the evolution of our species.

The Guardian - Opinion

Myners said: "The combination of tax avoidance strategies with subsidiary companies together with losses brought forward means that banks will be not be making a meaningful contribution to corporate tax for some years".

The Guardian - Business

It was not until after the final whistle that Petr Cech was drawn into making a meaningful contribution at Wembley on Sunday, so effectively did his Chelsea team-mates defend.

Independent

Developments in data acquisition and model-data fusion may open the way for cropping systems models to have greater impact in real-world policy or practice settings, making a meaningful contribution to future agricultural productivity and sustainability.

European Journal of Agronomy

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

It is an ethical imperative for us as researchers that we disseminate the findings of this study among relevant academic, policy making and stake holder communities in order to make a meaningful contribution to the evidence-based management of IDPs.

BMC Medical Ethics

Nobody really knows whether Sam will make a meaningful contribution to an N.F.L. team.

The New Yorker

In practice just five can make a meaningful contribution to that total," the foundation said.

Independent

The State Department recommended rejection for many reasons: The pipeline does not make a meaningful contribution to the US economy.

The Guardian

On Tuesday, an NRA statement promised the organisation would make a "meaningful contribution" to prevent mass shootings.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When emphasizing the lasting effects of an action, use the phrase "making a meaningful contribution" to underscore the long-term benefits and positive impact.

Common error

Avoid using "making a meaningful contribution" when describing trivial or insignificant actions. Ensure the contribution genuinely has a notable positive impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "making a meaningful contribution" functions as a verbal phrase that typically acts as the predicate of a clause, describing an action or state of being. As shown in the Ludwig examples, it expresses the act of positively influencing or adding value to something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Wiki

7%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "making a meaningful contribution" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe a positive and impactful action. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's suitable for various contexts, particularly news, science, and formal business settings. While alternatives like "having a significant impact" or "making a real difference" exist, "making a meaningful contribution" specifically emphasizes the value and importance of the contribution. When using this phrase, ensure that the contribution is genuinely significant to avoid overstatement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

making a real difference

Highlights the tangible impact of the contribution on a situation or entity.

having a significant impact

Focuses on the impact of the contribution rather than the act of contributing.

offering valuable assistance

Emphasizes the helpful aspect of the contribution.

providing substantial support

Highlights the supportive nature and scale of the contribution.

playing a pivotal role

Stresses the importance and influence of the contribution.

exerting considerable influence

Focuses on the degree of influence brought about by the contribution.

adding considerable value

Highlights the value added by the contribution.

leaving a positive mark

Shifts focus to the lasting effect of the contribution.

positively shaping outcomes

Focuses on contribution toward desirable outcomes.

giving indispensable aid

Emphasizes the necessity and helpfulness of the contribution.

FAQs

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

You can use "making a meaningful contribution" to describe someone's positive impact. For example, "Volunteering regularly is one way of "making a meaningful contribution" to your community".

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

Alternatives include "having a significant impact", "making a real difference", or "offering valuable assistance", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "make a meaningful contribution" or "do a meaningful contribution"?

"Make a meaningful contribution" is the correct and idiomatic expression. "Do a meaningful contribution" is not standard English.

How does "making a meaningful contribution" differ from "making a difference"?

"Making a difference" is broader, while "making a meaningful contribution" suggests a more specific and substantial positive impact. Meaning implies some kind of importance, or at least to serve a purpose.