Word
contribute
Phoneticscon·trib·ute
US/kənˈtɹɪbjut/
UK/kˈɒntɹɪbjˌuːt/
Definition
v. to give something, like money, time, or ideas, to help a group or a project succeed. You use this when you play a part in making something happen.
v. to give or supply something in common with others; to play a significant role in bringing about a specific result. Transitive when providing a specific resource, but often used intransitively with the preposition 'to'.
Examples
“Many people contribute money to the local charity.”
“The lead researcher asked every team member to contribute their findings to the final report by Friday.”
“While individual lifestyle changes are helpful, systemic policy shifts contribute far more significantly to the long-term reduction of carbon emissions across the industrial sector.”
Examples
simple
“Many people contribute money to the local charity.”
contextual
“The lead researcher asked every team member to contribute their findings to the final report by Friday.”
complex
“While individual lifestyle changes are helpful, systemic policy shifts contribute far more significantly to the long-term reduction of carbon emissions across the industrial sector.”
Usage
The verb is often followed by the preposition 'to' when indicating the recipient or the final result.
Pitfall
He contributed for the project
He contributed to the project
Contribute takes the preposition 'to' when describing the goal or project being helped.
Real-World Examples
Common in science writing
“The Almaraz plant, which contributes around seven percent of Spain's electricity production, is a key source of industry and employment in mostly rural, depopulated Extremadura.” “Incheon’s international passenger traffic was up 6.3% year on year overall, with rising numbers of foreign visitors also contributing to the increase.” “The UN continues to contribute to AI regulation efforts, including through the Global Dialogue and the Independent International Scientific Panel on AI – a scientific body to assess the opportunities and risks of AI.” “Moreover, he adds, passengers often contribute to the problem by using unsuitable cables and not caring for devices.” Etymology
PIE word *tréyes From Latin contribūtus, perfect passive participle of contribuō (“to bring together; to unite”), from con- (“together”) + tribuō (“to bestow”), from tribus (“tribe”), derived from trēs (“three”), from Proto-Italic trēs, from Proto-Indo-European tréyes.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Collocations
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englishreference.com/q/contribute