to contribute towards

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to contribute towards" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of giving or adding to a cause, project, or effort. Example: "We are looking for ways to contribute towards the community development project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We want to contribute towards the accomplishment".

The New York Times

This is because it gives supporters something to contribute towards.

The Guardian

The Pensions Regulator is investigating whether Green should be forced to contribute towards the scheme.

The Guardian - Business

We want everyone to contribute towards that and I'm in no real rush.

The Guardian - Sport

Thus, social work tries to contribute towards greater harmony in society.

The Guardian

This is a real opportunity for the sector to contribute towards tackling the youth unemployment crisis.

The Guardian

"It's a good idea for them to contribute towards the household, so they have a bit of responsibility," adds Ward.

The Guardian

She added that Tate wanted "to contribute towards a reshaping of art history reflecting local art histories across the world".

The Guardian - Arts

We're not saying we can counteract radicalisation by ourselves, but we would like to contribute towards that".

The Guardian

Now that it has gone, capitalism, with no incentive to contribute towards social purpose, is running wild.

The Economist

In the first instance data provided by Haringey to contribute towards the provisional assessment was found to be misleading.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to contribute towards" when you want to emphasize that your contribution is part of a larger effort or goal. It highlights the collaborative nature of the action.

Common error

While "to contribute towards" is valid, consider whether "to contribute to" might be more concise and direct. Overuse of "towards" can sometimes make writing sound wordy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to contribute towards" functions as an infinitive phrase expressing purpose or intention. It typically introduces an action aimed at achieving a specific outcome or supporting a particular cause, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to contribute towards" is a grammatically correct and widely used phrase that indicates an intention to support or aid in achieving a specific goal. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples from diverse sources. While perfectly acceptable, it is worth noting that "to contribute to" often provides a more concise alternative. As the Ludwig examples show, this phrase is most commonly used in news, scientific, and formal business contexts, highlighting its versatility across various forms of communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to assist in

Focuses on providing help or support, omitting the idea of contributing to a larger goal.

to aid in

Similar to assist in, but can imply a more significant or critical form of help.

to support

General term indicating assistance or approval, less specific than "to contribute towards".

to add to

Focuses on the act of adding something, without necessarily implying support for a larger goal.

to promote

Focuses on advancing or encouraging something, rather than simply adding to it.

to play a part in

Emphasizes involvement, less specific about the nature of the involvement.

to foster

Implies nurturing or developing something, which is a more active role than contributing.

to advance

Suggests moving something forward, which is a more directional meaning than simply contributing.

to further

Similar to advance, implying promotion of progress or development.

to chip in

Informal phrase for contributing, often financially or with effort.

FAQs

How can I use "to contribute towards" in a sentence?

You can use "to contribute towards" to indicate an action that helps to achieve a specific goal or support a particular cause. For example, "We aim to contribute towards a sustainable future".

What are some alternatives to "to contribute towards"?

Some alternatives include "to contribute to", "to help with", or "to assist in", depending on the specific context.

Is it always necessary to use "towards" after "contribute"?

No, it is not always necessary. "To contribute to" is often a more concise and equally correct option. The choice depends on the desired emphasis and flow of the sentence. Some people prefer "to contribute towards" to emphasize the direction or goal of the contribution.

What's the difference between "to contribute towards" and "to contribute to"?

While both phrases are grammatically correct, "to contribute towards" often emphasizes that the contribution is part of a larger effort. "To contribute to" is generally more direct and can be used in most contexts where "to contribute towards" would fit.