may contribute to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may contribute to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to suggest that something could potentially help or add to a particular result. For example: "Volunteering in the community may contribute to a more positive attitude towards life."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This may contribute to inflationary pressures.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Such pressures may contribute to the high rate of I.V.F.

The New York Times - Magazine

Certainly, these measures may contribute to narrowing the pay gap.

The Guardian - Money

Sheila may contribute to debates in areas of her expertise.

The Guardian

P40 i TV fame may contribute to mass shootings increase.

The Guardian

Synthetic sweeteners may contribute to diabetes.

Science Magazine

Two reasons may contribute to this difference.

The Journal of Chinese Sociology

Both may contribute to people's curiosity.

Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications

Several reasons may contribute to this difference.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Immunothrombosis-induced coagulopathy may contribute to hypercoagulability.

Annals of Intensive Care

Pregnancy may contribute to overweight and obesity.

American Journal of Preventive Medicine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "may contribute to", ensure that the statement is appropriately hedged, acknowledging the uncertainty or potential nature of the contribution. Avoid overstating the impact.

Common error

Avoid using "may contribute to" when a stronger, more definitive causal relationship is warranted. If evidence strongly supports a direct cause, use phrases like "directly causes" or "is a major factor in" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may contribute to" functions as a hedge, indicating a possible causal relationship without asserting it as a definitive fact. Ludwig examples showcase its use in various contexts, suggesting a potential influence or factor in a particular outcome.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

26%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "may contribute to" is a versatile phrase used to suggest a possible influence or factor without stating a definitive causal relationship. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and widely applicable. It's prevalent in scientific and news contexts, requiring careful hedging to avoid overstating claims. Alternatives like "might influence" or "could factor into" offer similar nuances. When writing, be mindful of the strength of your evidence and avoid using the phrase when a stronger causal link is warranted. Finally, it's crucial to differentiate it from phrases like "may be attributed to", which denotes a result rather than a contributing factor.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might be a factor in

Highlights the potential for something to be a contributing element.

might influence

Indicates a potential impact, similar to contributing but focuses on influence.

could factor into

Suggests something is a component or element that plays a role.

can play a part in

Emphasizes the role or involvement in something.

may have a hand in

Implies some level of involvement or influence.

could lead to

Indicates a potential outcome or result.

can help to

Focuses on the assistance or support provided.

may be instrumental in

Suggests a crucial or essential role.

might assist with

Implies aiding or supporting something.

could foster

Suggests the potential to promote growth or development.

FAQs

How to use "may contribute to" in a sentence?

Use "may contribute to" when you want to suggest that something might play a role in causing a particular outcome, but without stating it as a definite fact. For example: "Increased screen time "may contribute to" eye strain."

What can I say instead of "may contribute to"?

You can use alternatives like "might influence", "could factor into", or "can play a part in" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "may contribute to" or "contributes to"?

"May contribute to" suggests a possibility or likelihood, while "contributes to" implies a more definitive and established causal relationship. The choice depends on the strength of the evidence.

What's the difference between "may contribute to" and "may be attributed to"?

"May contribute to" suggests that something helps cause something else, whereas "may be attributed to" suggests that something is the result of something else. They describe opposite directions of causation.