this contributed to

USAGE SUMMARY

"this contributed to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to refer to a cause-effect relationship, typically followed by an explanation of what has been caused or affected. For example: This contributed to the rapid spread of the virus across the continent.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

All of this contributed to its visibility.

The New York Times

This contributed to their eventual demise.

The New York Times - Books

This contributed to Hamas's electoral victory.

The Guardian - Opinion

This contributed to Berkshire's solid performance last year.

The New York Times

All of this contributed to Britain's ultimate strategic failure.

The Guardian

This "contributed to significant delays experienced during resettlement.

The Guardian

(He asked himself whether this contributed to Henry's instability).

The Guardian - Books

This contributed to trade's rapid expansion in recent decades.

The Economist

He suggested that this contributed to a lack of joined up thinking in the organisation.

The Guardian

Whether or not this contributed to his accident, we'll never know.

The New York Times

Experts say this contributed to the shortage of dentists in poorer and more rural areas.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "this contributed to", ensure that the connection between the cause (this) and the effect is clear to the reader. Provide context so the reader understands the relationship.

Common error

Avoid using "this contributed to" without clearly specifying what "this" refers to. Ambiguous references can confuse readers and weaken your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this contributed to" functions as a causal connector, linking a preceding event, action, or situation to its subsequent effect or outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, indicating its role in establishing cause-and-effect relationships.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

4%

Social Media

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "this contributed to" is a versatile phrase used to establish a causal link between an event or situation and its subsequent outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usability. It is common across diverse sources, including news media, scientific literature, and encyclopedias. While appropriate for formal contexts, it requires clarity in specifying what "this" refers to in order to avoid ambiguity. Alternative phrases like "this led to" or "this resulted in" can offer nuanced variations in meaning. Ensure the connection between cause and effect is clear to the reader for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this led to

Focuses more on the direct consequence or result of an action.

this resulted in

Similar to "this led to", but often used for more concrete outcomes.

this caused

Emphasizes a direct causal link, often implying a stronger influence.

this gave rise to

Indicates the beginning or emergence of something as a result.

this was a factor in

Suggests that it was one of several elements influencing the outcome.

this played a role in

Similar to "this was a factor in", indicating partial influence.

this had an impact on

Highlights the effect or influence on something.

this influenced

Similar to "this had an impact on", focusing on the influencing aspect.

this was instrumental in

Emphasizes a crucial or essential role in causing something.

this facilitated

Indicates that something was made easier or more likely.

FAQs

How can I use "this contributed to" in a sentence?

Use "this contributed to" to show a cause-and-effect relationship. For example, "The lack of funding "this contributed to" the project's delay".

What are some alternatives to "this contributed to"?

Alternatives include "this led to", "this resulted in", or "this caused", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "this contributed to" or "this caused"?

"This contributed to" suggests a partial cause, while "this caused" implies a more direct and significant effect. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the strength of the causal relationship.

Can "this contributed to" be used in formal writing?

Yes, ""this contributed to"" is appropriate for formal writing. However, ensure clarity and precision in specifying what "this" refers to.