sterling contribution

USAGE SUMMARY

"sterling contribution" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to refer to one's valuable and outstanding contribution to an effort, undertaking, or cause. For example: John's sterling contribution to the charity's fundraising event was instrumental in its success.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

But overall, it was a sterling contribution from the Olympics to the mainstreaming of national stereotypes.

The Guardian - Opinion

The South African police service and the South African pathologist have already made a sterling contribution towards trying to solve this terrible murder.

The Guardian

The band sounds especially vital on the third disc, an assortment of radio air checks that benefits greatly from the sterling contribution of Frank Sinatra.

The New York Times

Length: 4min 29sec Word count: 511 Words a second: 1.9 We had high hopes for Billy's sterling contribution to the unfairly maligned "shopping list record" genre, but he proves to be an even more flimsy performer than REM.

The Guardian - Music

Dear Nelson Mandela, As your body lies in state, let me salute you for the sterling contribution you made to the anti-apartheid struggle over more than 40 years.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

It is possible that Sterling has made charitable contributions as an individual — rather than through his foundation — that would not appear in the foundation's public tax filings.

Los Angeles Times

(SummerScape operagoers look forward to the sterling contributions of the Bard Festival Chorale).

The New Yorker

Sterling's biggest contribution to our understanding of the New Aesthetic is his suggestion that the Modernist project is for the New Aestheticians (can we make it a noun?) "like their Greco-Roman antiquity," by which I assume he means what Greco-Roman antiquity is to the foundations of Western Civilization, or maybe Euro-American civilization.

Vice

UNICEF also contributes to the funding of the co-chair position within the IASC Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Reference Group.  4 The funded amount of US$19.2 million does not include a pledge against 2012 requirements from the Government of the United Kingdom (4M pounds sterling), nor the contribution from Norway (NOK 15 million) received in December 2011.

Unicef

Theory: this man is also drunk, and has been watching Ryu and M. Bison slowly escalate from squabbling over Raheem Sterling's Liverpool contributions this year in the pub (pints 1 3) through full-on kicking each other through bins in the tube station (pints 5 8), and is really into it, because his life is fundamentally empty; and... v) The janitor.

Vice

She is aided by sterling technical contributions: Lauren Helpern's sets and Emily DeAngelis's costumes artfully conjure the period, while C. Andrew Bauer's video designs cleverly incorporate Ms. Gloeckner's drawings.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sterling contribution" when you want to emphasize the high quality and significant positive impact of someone's work or effort. It suggests a contribution that is not only valuable but also of exceptional merit.

Common error

Avoid using "sterling contribution" in casual or informal settings. The phrase carries a formal tone and may sound overly sophisticated or even pretentious in everyday conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "great help" or "valuable input" in such contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sterling contribution" functions as a noun phrase where "sterling" acts as a pre-modifying adjective. It highlights the quality of the contribution, indicating it is of high value and merit. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and appropriate for use.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sterling contribution" is a formal phrase used to describe an exceptionally valuable and high-quality contribution. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and appropriate for professional or academic contexts. While not overly common, its use adds a level of sophistication to your writing. Consider alternatives like "valuable contribution" or "significant contribution" for different nuances. Avoid using "sterling contribution" in informal settings to maintain the appropriate tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

valuable contribution

Replaces "sterling" with "valuable", focusing on the worth of the contribution.

significant contribution

Emphasizes the importance and impact of the contribution.

outstanding contribution

Highlights the exceptional quality of the contribution.

excellent contribution

Uses "excellent" to describe the high standard of the contribution.

notable contribution

Indicates that the contribution is worthy of being noticed.

remarkable contribution

Emphasizes the unusual or surprising quality of the contribution.

substantial contribution

Highlights the significant amount or size of the contribution.

meritorious contribution

Suggests that the contribution is deserving of praise or reward.

invaluable contribution

Stresses the extreme usefulness and irreplaceability of the contribution.

exceptional contribution

Focuses on the rarity and superiority of the contribution.

FAQs

How can I use "sterling contribution" in a sentence?

You can use "sterling contribution" to describe someone's exceptional and valuable input. For example, "Her "sterling contribution" to the project ensured its success."

What are some alternatives to "sterling contribution"?

Alternatives include "valuable contribution", "significant contribution", or "outstanding contribution", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "sterling contribution" formal or informal?

"Sterling contribution" is generally considered a formal phrase. It is best suited for professional, academic, or other serious contexts. Using it in very informal conversation may sound out of place.

What makes a contribution "sterling"?

A "sterling" contribution is one that is not only valuable but also of exceptionally high quality and integrity. It implies a contribution that is reliable, trustworthy, and of significant merit, similar to the qualities associated with sterling silver.