Contributing to a shared effort

The idea

Use contribute something to a project or contribute to an activity or result. After to, use a noun or an -ing form.

Examples

• Mina contributed fresh herbs to the community meal.
• Several neighbours contributed ideas for the playground.
• Our team contributes to a local wildlife project.
• The volunteers contributed their time without asking for payment.
• Better lighting can contribute to safer streets.
• Each student contributed a photograph to the exhibition.

Watch out

Avoid contribute for the project: the usual preposition for the recipient or result is to.

Try it yourself

1. Choose the correct answer. The artist contributed a sketch ___ the project. (to / at)

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   to

   to introduces the project receiving the sketch.

2. Choose the correct answer. Last week, our class ___ money for the shelter. (contributed / contributes)

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   contributed

   contributed fits the completed action last week.

3. Choose the correct answer. Regular practice can contribute to ___ confidence. (building / build)

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   building

   building names the process that regular practice can support.

Use it today

Describe something you could contribute to a shared project.