the contribution

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   A gift or amount of money given to help a person or organization.

   Grammar: Often used with 'make a contribution' or 'a contribution to'.

   Patterns

   • make a contribution
   • a contribution to something
   • a contribution of something

   She made a generous contribution to the charity.

   The contribution of $100 helped fund the new library.

   We rely on contributions from the public to keep the museum open.

2. 2nouncountable

   Something that you do or say that helps to achieve a result.

   Grammar: Often followed by 'to' to show what is helped.

   Patterns

   • make a contribution to something
   • a contribution to something

   His research made a major contribution to science.

   Everyone's contribution to the discussion was valuable.

   She made a small but important contribution to the team's success.

Word forms

Common combinations

make a contribution

Please make a contribution to the food bank.

a contribution to

This is a real contribution to our understanding of climate change.

a significant contribution

The scientist made a significant contribution to medicine.

a voluntary contribution

The club asks for a voluntary contribution of $5.

Synonyms and how they differ

donation

'Donation' is usually money or goods given to a charity; 'contribution' can also mean help or ideas.

gift

'Gift' is a present given to someone, often on a special occasion; 'contribution' is more about helping a cause.

input

'Input' means ideas or effort you provide; 'contribution' is broader and can include money.

Word family

contribute verb

To give money or help to something.

contributor noun

A person who gives or helps.

contributory adjective

Helping to cause something.

Commonly confused: the contribution or attribution?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “the contribution”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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