Word
contributory
Phoneticscon·trib·u·to·ry
US/kənˈtɹɪbjəˌtɔɹi/
UK/kəntɹˈɪbjuːtəɹˌi/
Definition
adj. helping to cause something, especially a problem or an accident. It describes a factor that adds to a result but is not the main reason.
adj. serving to contribute to a result, especially a negative one such as an accident or a problem. Often used in legal or formal contexts to describe a secondary cause.
Examples
“The icy road was a contributory factor in the accident.”
“The court found that the driver's failure to check the brakes was a contributory cause of the collision.”
“While the primary cause of the fire was an electrical fault, the lack of proper fire escapes was identified as a contributory factor that exacerbated the damage.”
Examples
simple
“The icy road was a contributory factor in the accident.”
contextual
“The court found that the driver's failure to check the brakes was a contributory cause of the collision.”
complex
“While the primary cause of the fire was an electrical fault, the lack of proper fire escapes was identified as a contributory factor that exacerbated the damage.”
Real-World Examples
“Limited exceptions would apply for service in the armed forces and contributory state pensions for individuals who have paid into the system.” “Like normal contributory pensions, in Spain non-contributory pensions are tied to inflation and the Consumer Price Index (CPI), to ensure older people don’t lose any purchasing power.” Word family
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/contributory