a canister of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a canister of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a container that holds a specific substance, often in a measured or controlled amount. Example: "I need to buy a canister of cooking oil for the recipe."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

A plate of roasted meat arrived, along with a canister of toothpicks.

The New Yorker

The police finally fired a canister of vomit-inducing tear gas into the kitchen.

The New York Times

"Some girl gave it to me, and a canister of pot," Mr. Kutcher explained.

The New York Times - Style

I climb in, SodaStream between my legs, a canister of CO2 perilously close to my drumstick.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"A canister of rapidly curing polymeric foam can be activated and inserted into a duct".

The New York Times

Security guards yesterday confiscated six knives, a canister of mace and several beers.

The New York Times

The police immediately attributed the explosion to a canister of cooking gas.

The New York Times

I asked the director of the museum there to send me a canister of tar.

The New York Times - Science

A protester tosses a canister of tear gas in Tahrir Square, in Cairo, in 2011.

The New Yorker

Although a canister of matches was still on the counter, smoking was no longer allowed.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

That bomb--a canister of powder explosive and nails--was similar to ones that have exploded elsewhere and are considered a signature of Algerian guerrillas.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a canister of", ensure the context clearly defines what is being contained. For example, specify "a canister of pepper spray" or "a canister of cooking gas".

Common error

Avoid using "canister" for containers that are not designed to hold pressurized substances. For example, it would be incorrect to refer to "a canister of flour"; instead, use "a container of flour" or "a bag of flour".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a canister of" functions as a noun phrase acting as a determiner, specifying a quantity or container of something. Ludwig examples show it used with various contents, like "cooking gas", "tear gas", or "coffee", indicating containment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

4%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a canister of" is a versatile and frequently used noun phrase that serves to specify the contents of a canister, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. It is grammatically sound and appropriate for various contexts, ranging from news reports and scientific articles to everyday conversations. The phrase is most commonly found in News & Media, Wiki and Science contexts. When using the phrase, it's important to ensure that the contents of the canister are clearly defined and that "canister" is used appropriately for pressurized or airtight containers. Alternative phrases like "a container of" or "a vessel of" can be used to provide variety or adjust the level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a container of

Replaces "canister" with a more generic term for a vessel, broadening the range of containers.

a supply of

Focuses on the quantity or amount available, rather than the specific container.

a vessel of

Uses a more formal term than "canister", implying a container for liquids or other substances.

a quantity of

Shifts the emphasis to the amount or volume of the substance contained.

a reservoir of

Implies a larger or more substantial storage capacity.

a receptacle of

Similar to "container" but can refer to any holder that receives something.

a store of

Suggests a reserve or accumulation of something.

a package of

Indicates an item or set of items wrapped or boxed together

a tin of

Specifies the material of the container

a box of

Uses a common storage and shipping container

FAQs

What does "a canister of" mean?

The phrase "a canister of" refers to a specific quantity or amount of something that is stored inside a canister, which is typically a cylindrical container often used for pressurized substances or for dry goods needing airtight storage.

How to use "a canister of" in a sentence?

You can use "a canister of" to describe the contents of a canister, such as "The hiker carried "a canister of fuel" for the camping stove" or "Security confiscated "a canister of mace" at the entrance".

What can I say instead of "a canister of"?

You can use alternatives like "a container of", "a supply of", or "a vessel of" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "a canister of" for liquids?

Yes, it is appropriate to use "a canister of" for liquids, especially if the liquid is stored under pressure or in a specialized container. For instance, "a canister of compressed air" is a common usage.