diff --git a/DOCS/contribute.md b/DOCS/contribute.md
index 48307d9658..c33cab1467 100644
--- a/DOCS/contribute.md
+++ b/DOCS/contribute.md
@@ -68,6 +68,11 @@ Write good commit messages
 
   Having a prefix gives context, and is especially useful when trying to find
   a specific change by looking at the history, or when running ``git blame``.
+
+  Sample prefixes: ``vo_gpu: ...``, ``command: ...``, ``DOCS/input: ...``,
+  ``TOOLS/osxbundle: ...``, ``osc.lua: ...``, etc. You can always check the git
+  log for commits which modify specific files to see which prefixes are used.
+
 - The first word after the ``:`` is lower case.
 - Don't end the subject line with a ``.``.
 - Put an empty line between the subject line and the commit message.