making a positive contribution

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "making a positive contribution" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the act of adding value or benefits to a situation, organization, or community. Example: "Volunteering at the local shelter is a great way of making a positive contribution to the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

If corporations are serious about making a positive contribution than they are in a much better position than governments to implement these tools to accomplish what they profess to believe in.

Huffington Post

I would argue that anyone interested in making a positive contribution to society, anyone who can demonstrate they have attracted and collaborated positively with champions, networks, and generated influence and change, can label themselves social leaders.

The Guardian

There are plenty of examples of people, myself included, who cite games as making a positive contribution to their learning.

The Telegraph

"It is in the process of making a positive contribution to manufacturing growth and to the broader economic recovery".

The New York Times

Despite his best efforts and due to the efforts of these lawyers, Mr. Hamden succeeded in making a positive contribution to world — something even his famous passenger cannot claim.

The New York Times - Books

"We have an ambitious vision of being a carbon positive company, making a positive contribution to the climate change through editorial coverage, and minimising the negative carbon impact of our business.

The Guardian

It shows that recent EU migrants pay more in taxes than they receive in benefits, helping to relieve the tax burden on UK-born workers and making a positive contribution to funding public services.

The Guardian

Indicators making a positive contribution to the index included an increase in the nation's money supply, higher consumer expectations, fewer claims for state unemployment benefits, rising stock prices and an increase in the factory workweek.

The New York Times

Mr. Rodriguez realizes that he is an essential part of the community board process and as such looks forward to making a positive contribution to the workings of this board.

The New York Times

Finishing her coffee, Buruiana, who speaks five foreign languages and has a PhD and two master's degrees, agrees that many Romanians are making a positive contribution to the UK.

The Guardian

I've been on the radio, I'm now helping to lead Voices as vice chair of the expert citizens group, I've been helping others to tell their stories through short films, and I feel that I'm making a positive contribution.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

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

Common error

Avoid using "making a positive contribution" in overly broad or vague statements. Instead, provide specific examples or details to illustrate the nature and impact of the contribution.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "making a positive contribution" functions as a verbal phrase that often acts as a complement in a sentence. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and signifies the action of adding value or benefit to something. The examples in Ludwig illustrate its use in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "making a positive contribution" is a versatile phrase used to describe the act of adding value or having a beneficial impact. As affirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound and frequently appears in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. While its meaning is clear, specificity regarding the recipient or area of impact enhances clarity. Consider alternatives like "having a beneficial impact" or "adding value" depending on the desired nuance. Avoid overuse in overly general statements to maintain precision and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

contributing positively

Reorders the words slightly while retaining the core meaning.

making a constructive impact

Replaces 'positive' with 'constructive,' emphasizing building and improving.

having a beneficial impact

Focuses on the impact or effect of the contribution, rather than the act of making it.

adding value

Emphasizes the act of increasing worth or importance.

providing a valuable service

Highlights the service aspect of the contribution.

improving the situation

Shifts the focus to the overall improvement resulting from the contribution.

bettering the community

Specifies the community as the recipient of the positive contribution.

giving a boost

Offers a more informal way to express the idea of a positive effect.

aiding progress

Highlights the role of contribution in fostering advancements.

advancing an agenda

Emphasizes forwarding objectives or goals.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "making a positive contribution" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "providing a significant benefit" or "contributing substantially to".

What are some synonyms for "making a positive contribution" in an academic context?

In academic writing, you might use phrases such as "advancing the field", "enriching the understanding of", or "furthering research in".

Is it always necessary to specify what someone is contributing to when using the phrase "making a positive contribution"?

While not always grammatically required, specifying the recipient or area of impact clarifies your meaning and strengthens your statement. For example, instead of "They are making a positive contribution", say "They are making a positive contribution to the community".

What's the difference between "making a positive contribution" and "having a positive impact"?

"Making a positive contribution" emphasizes the action of contributing, while "having a positive impact" emphasizes the result or effect. The choice depends on whether you want to highlight the effort or the outcome.