a box of

USAGE SUMMARY

'a box of' is a grammatically correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it to refer to a collection of items that is contained in a single box. Example sentence: I purchased a box of chocolates for my friend's birthday.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A box of guns).

The New York Times

A box of quackers!

The Guardian

A box of jewelry?

The New York Times

A box of doughnut holes?

The New Yorker

How about a box of chocolates instead?

The New York Times - Travel

Would he misplace a box of negatives?

The New York Times - Arts

The object is a box Of ashes.

The New Yorker

How expensive is a box of pasta?

The New York Times - Magazine

Like a box of fine wine.

The New York Times

And here's a box of Kleenex".

The New York Times

There is a box of 9-mm.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a box of", ensure that the noun following "of" is plural, unless it is an uncountable noun (e.g. "a box of chocolates", "a box of cereal").

Common error

Avoid using a singular noun after "a box of" when referring to multiple items. For example, instead of "a box of chocolate", use "a box of chocolates".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a box of" functions as a determiner phrase, specifying the quantity or container of a particular item or items. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in various contexts, describing different contents within a box.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Wiki

37%

Science

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a box of" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate the contents of a box. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and wide applicability, particularly in News & Media and Wiki contexts. When using this phrase, ensure correct pluralization of the following noun and consider semantically similar alternatives like "a container of" or "a package of" for variety. Remember to use this phrase to provide clarity about the items contained within a box, contributing to more descriptive and precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a container of

Emphasizes the physical container holding the items, rather than the box specifically.

a carton of

Specifically refers to a container made of cardboard or similar material.

a package of

Highlights that the items are wrapped or bundled together.

a supply of

Focuses on the provision or availability of the items.

a collection of

Indicates a group of items gathered together.

a set of

Suggests that the items belong together and are often used together.

an assortment of

Implies a variety of different items within the container.

a quantity of

General term for an amount of something.

several

Indicates more than two, but not a large number of items.

numerous

Highlights that there is a large quantity of something.

FAQs

How can I use "a box of" in a sentence?

Use "a box of" to describe the contents of a box, for example, "I bought "a box of chocolates" for my friend" or "There is "a box of books" in the attic".

What are some alternatives to "a box of"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "a container of", "a carton of", or "a package of".

Is it grammatically correct to say "a box of"?

Yes, the phrase "a box of" is grammatically correct and commonly used to indicate the contents of a box. Ensure the noun that follows is plural or uncountable.

What kind of nouns usually follow "a box of"?

Typically, plural countable nouns (e.g., "a box of crayons") or uncountable nouns (e.g., "a box of cereal") follow "a box of". The noun refers to what the box contains.