which contributes to

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of a sentence "which contributes to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that helps to make up a whole. For example, "This project requires multiple skills which contributes to the success of the outcome."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She's not single by choice, which contributes to her vulnerability.

The New Yorker

All of which contributes to how much we sit.

The New York Times

Preterm infants have immature skin, which contributes to skin problems.

Early Human Development

Hospitals are concerned about costs, which contributes to observation purgatory designations.

The Guardian - Opinion

The hybrid buses did, however, produce more nitrogen oxide, which contributes to ground-level ozone.

The New York Times

(We never fully discover why Severin is there, which contributes to the book's sometimes surreal logic).

The New Yorker

Search costs slow down job matching, which contributes to unemployment and job vacancies.

The New York Times

Badu thinks a lot about presentation, which contributes to her judiciousness in releasing new music.

The New Yorker

That repetition appears to create real, interconnected strategic benefits, each of which contributes to competitive advantage.

Harvard Business Review

The EPA relaxes the standard for ozone, which contributes to smog.

The Guardian

Alternative splicing is an important molecular mechanism which contributes to the transcriptomic diversity in higher eukaryotes35.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To maintain clarity, avoid placing long or complex clauses between "which" and "contributes to".

Common error

A common error is using "that contributes to" when "that" refers to a plural noun. Ensure subject-verb agreement by using "that contribute to" for plural subjects. For instance, instead of writing "These factors which contributes to the problem...", write "These factors which contribute to the problem...".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which contributes to" functions as a relative clause connector, linking a descriptive clause to a main clause. It indicates that the action or characteristic described in the relative clause has a causal or additive effect on the subject of the main clause. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

33%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "which contributes to" is a commonly used relative clause connector that expresses a causal or additive relationship. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and broad applicability. It is most frequently found in News & Media, Science, and Academic writing, showing its versatility across different registers. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by placing it close to the noun it modifies and maintaining subject-verb agreement. Consider stronger verbs if a more direct causal link is intended. Using alternatives such as "that adds to" or "that plays a role in" can provide nuanced meaning depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that adds to

This alternative uses a more direct verb but maintains the meaning of contributing.

that leads to

This phrase emphasizes the consequence or result of the contribution.

that results in

Similar to "that leads to", but focuses on the outcome.

that plays a role in

This alternative highlights the involvement or influence of something.

that has an impact on

This phrase focuses on the effect or influence of the contribution.

that is a factor in

This option suggests that something is one of several elements influencing an outcome.

that fosters

This emphasizes the nurturing or promoting aspect of the contribution.

that enhances

This option highlights how something improves or strengthens a particular outcome.

that promotes

Focuses on the action of advancing or encouraging something.

that influences

Highlights the power of affecting something without necessarily causing it directly.

FAQs

How can I use "which contributes to" in a sentence?

Use "which contributes to" to introduce a relative clause that explains how something adds to or helps bring about a particular result. For example: "The innovative design, which contributes to its efficiency, has made the product a success."

What are some alternatives to "which contributes to"?

You can use alternatives like "that adds to", "that leads to", or "that plays a role in" depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is there a difference between "which contributes to" and "that contributes to"?

"Which contributes to" introduces a nonrestrictive (additional, but not essential) clause, while "that contributes to" introduces a restrictive (essential for identifying the noun) clause. For example, "The study, which contributes to our understanding, is groundbreaking" (additional information). "The study that contributes to our understanding is groundbreaking" (essential information).

How does the choice of verb affect the meaning when using "which contributes to"?

Using stronger verbs like "causes" or "generates" indicates a more direct and significant effect, while "which contributes to" implies a less forceful or more incremental effect. For example: "Pollution causes climate change" is a stronger statement than "Pollution, which contributes to climate change, requires immediate action".