a box of tea

USAGE SUMMARY

"a box of tea" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It refers to a container or package that contains tea. You can use this phrase when talking about preparing or purchasing tea. Example: I invited my friend over for tea and cookies, but when I opened my pantry, I realized I had run out of loose leaf tea. So, I quickly grabbed a box of tea bags and brewed a pot of tea for us to enjoy.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Next, somebody threw a box of tea over the White House fence, and the police evacuated the park.

The Washington Post

If you then placed a box of tea bags in there too, you would need to apply the charge.

The Guardian

In the note scribbled on the inside of a box of tea bags, Mr. Khawaja wrote: "My dear & beloved family, from behind prison bars, I send to you my love & yearning.

The New York Times

A woman had come in to buy a box of tea bags, and two others entered 10 minutes later, looked around for a while, smiled at Brenda Chan Casimir, the owner, and left without buying anything.

The New York Times

Several hundred people showed up in Lafayette Park opposite the White House, until the park and parts of Pennsylvania Avenue were cleared while a robot retrieved what the Secret Service confirmed was a box of tea bags.

The New York Times

Authorities inside the hotel confiscated footage, but I packed my film into a box of tea and gave it to a French student who was heading back to Paris.

The Guardian - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

To place that in context, a worker receives about 2p in cash for picking enough tea to fill a box of 80 tea bags, which then sells for upwards of £2 in the UK.

The Guardian

But where the price for a box of 100 tea bags has remained stable at between $2 and $3 for practically 20 years, according to Mr. Simrany of the tea association, subtleties in the tea palate of the consumer are producing changes, including specialty teas.

The New York Times

For David Mellor: a box of green tea and a CD of calming Tibetan music.

The Guardian - Opinion

The only wrapper you want from Yorkshire comes around a box of Yorkshire Tea.

The Guardian - Music

At that, a worker from Mr. Ryan's campaign office walked in to drop off a box of leftover tea bags.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the purchase or gifting of tea, use "a box of tea" to clearly indicate the product being referred to.

Common error

Avoid using "a box of tea" metaphorically. This phrase is primarily literal and might confuse readers if used in abstract or unrelated contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a box of tea" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as the object of a verb or the subject of a sentence. It designates a specific quantity of tea contained in a package. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Wiki

16%

Science

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a box of tea" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to denote a container holding tea bags or loose leaf tea. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is commonly used in written English and can be used when talking about preparing or purchasing tea. Its usage spans various contexts, but is particularly frequent in news media. When communicating the intention of giving or receiving this item, this phrase provides clarity and avoids ambiguity. While alternatives exist, they may alter the meaning or specificity. It is important to avoid using the expression metaphorically to maintain clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tea box

Omits the article "a" and preposition "of", creating a noun compound.

package of tea

Uses the term "package" instead of "box", implying a more general container.

tea container

Replaces "box" with the broader term "container", referring to anything that holds tea.

supply of tea bags

Focuses on the contents (tea bags) rather than the container itself.

carton of tea

Substitutes "box" with "carton", indicating a cardboard container.

tea assortment

Highlights the variety of teas within the box, if applicable.

tea selection

Similar to "tea assortment", but emphasizes the act of choosing from different teas.

tea gift set

Indicates that the box of tea is intended as a present.

tea collection

Implies a curated or gathered set of teas.

caddy of tea

Replaces "box" with "caddy", a more traditional term for a tea container.

FAQs

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

You can use "a box of tea" in a sentence to describe purchasing, gifting, or consuming tea. For instance, "I bought "a box of tea" for my mother's birthday".

What can I say instead of "a box of tea"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "tea box", "package of tea", or "tea container".

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

While "a tea box" is understandable, "a box of tea" is the more common and grammatically standard way to express the phrase. "Tea box" (without the "a" and "of") functions as a noun compound.

What's the difference between "a box of tea" and "some tea"?

"A box of tea" refers to a specific quantity of tea contained in a box, while "some tea" is a general term referring to an unspecified amount of tea.