small contribution to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "small contribution to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a minor or modest input or effort made towards a particular cause, project, or goal. Example: "Every small contribution to the charity helps us reach our fundraising target."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Call it my small contribution to civilization".

The New York Times - Arts

It was no small contribution to going after Libya.

The New York Times

I can only hope my efforts have made a small contribution to repairing old damage.

The Guardian

So this book was my very small contribution to redressing the balance.

The Guardian

And if I lose, at least I'll have made my small contribution to regenerating the town.

The Guardian

At that point, Catlin said, Astana had paid him a "small contribution" to begin taking samples.

The New York Times - Sports

Lifestyle farmers, it turns out, have made only a small contribution to this seismic shift.

Independent

"I hope this will make a small contribution to pushing our prime minister forward.

The New York Times

I'll do my best to make some small contribution to a great newspaper while I'm here.

The New York Times

I simply made a small contribution to a match that was very tough, very rough".

The New York Times - Sports

As home secretary, May made her own small contribution to Goldsmith and the Tory media's dishonest "extremist links" attacks.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "small contribution to" to acknowledge a minor but still valuable input or effect. It's particularly useful when you want to downplay the significance of something without dismissing it entirely.

Common error

Avoid using "small contribution to" when the actual impact is substantial. Using it in such cases can undermine the importance of the contribution and mislead your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "small contribution to" functions as a noun phrase, often acting as the object of a verb like "make", "give", or "provide". As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it correctly identifies a minor but positive role in something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Reference

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "small contribution to" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a minor but positive impact. According to Ludwig AI, it is suitable for various contexts and registers. While it acknowledges a limited influence, it's crucial to use it appropriately to avoid undermining the actual significance of a contribution. Consider alternatives like "minor contribution to" or "modest contribution to" for subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minor contribution to

Replaces "small" with "minor", emphasizing the limited size or significance of the contribution.

modest contribution to

Substitutes "small" with "modest", highlighting the unassuming nature of the contribution.

limited contribution to

Indicates that the contribution is restricted in scope or impact.

slight contribution to

Uses "slight" instead of "small", suggesting a minimal effect or influence.

tiny contribution to

Replaces "small" with "tiny", emphasizing the extremely small size of the contribution.

marginal contribution to

Indicates that the contribution is barely significant or noticeable.

negligible contribution to

Suggests that the contribution is so small as to be almost insignificant.

token contribution to

Implies that the contribution is made more for symbolic reasons than for its actual impact.

a drop in the bucket towards

An idiomatic expression indicating a very small contribution compared to what is needed.

nominal contribution to

Indicates that the contribution is small in name only, possibly larger in reality but not explicitly acknowledged as such.

FAQs

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

You can use "small contribution to" to indicate a minor but positive impact. For example, "Even a "small contribution to" the fundraising effort can make a difference."

What are some alternatives to "small contribution to"?

Alternatives include "minor contribution to", "modest contribution to", or "limited contribution to", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "small contribution to" or "significant contribution to"?

The choice depends on the actual impact. Use "small contribution to" when the impact is relatively minor, and "significant contribution to" when the impact is substantial.

What does it mean when something is described as a "small contribution to" something?

It means that the thing in question has made a minor, though often still valuable, impact on the larger thing it's contributing to. It implies that while not the primary driver, it still plays a part.