a carton of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a carton of" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to a full box or container of something - usually a quantity of a particular food item. For example: "I bought a carton of eggs from the store this morning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Finally a carton of dead pelts appeared.

The New York Times

Missing: a carton of Marlboro cigarettes.

The New York Times

A wellwisher gave him a carton of Bond Street cigarettes.

The Guardian

"I made my mom smoke a carton of Winston cigarettes," Mr. Lieberson recalled.

The New York Times

In fact, her only concern was to retrieve a carton of 200 cigarettes.

The New York Times - Books

But that's nothing these days, and so is a carton of cigarettes," Mr. Ho said.

The New York Times

In a plastic sack he carried a carton of cigarettes he'd bought at the Navy PX.

The New Yorker

I unpacked a carton of books with titles like "Nature's Garden" and "The Wild Table".

The New Yorker

"He had a carton of Marlboros — paid the fare in Marlboros".

The New York Times

"We want to cast souls to fill the clothes, not a carton of identical eggs.

The New York Times

Tells how the writer's father found a carton of in the Palazzo attic.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, consider the specific contents of the carton to provide clarity. For instance, specify "a carton of eggs" rather than just "a carton" to enhance understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "carton" without specifying its contents. Saying "I bought a carton" is vague. Instead, clarify with "I bought a carton of milk" to provide necessary context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a carton of" functions as a determiner phrase, specifying a quantity of something contained within a carton. As Ludwig AI points out, it introduces a noun phrase indicating the item being measured or sold in that container. It is commonly followed by a noun, as illustrated by the examples such as "a carton of milk" or "a carton of eggs."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a carton of" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to specify a quantity of something within a carton, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Predominantly found in "News & Media" and "Science" contexts, it serves to quantify and clarify the contents being discussed. To avoid vagueness, it's best practice to specify the contents (e.g., "a carton of milk"). Consider using alternatives like "a box of" or "a package of" for similar meanings. Overall, using this phrase correctly ensures clarity and specificity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a box of

Uses a more general term for container, implying a similar quantity.

a package of

Emphasizes the item being wrapped or contained for sale.

a container of

Highlights the aspect of containment, applicable to various forms.

a supply of

Focuses on the quantity available, rather than the packaging.

a stock of

Indicates a reserve or accumulation of the item.

a set of

Suggests items grouped together for a specific purpose or collection.

a collection of

Implies a curated or gathered group of items.

a batch of

Refers to items produced or prepared at the same time.

a case of

Suggests a larger, often commercial, quantity.

an amount of

Indicates a general quantity without specifying the container.

FAQs

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

Use "a carton of" to specify the container and its contents, such as "I bought "a carton of milk" at the store".

What's a good substitute for "a carton of"?

Depending on the context, consider using phrases like "a box of", "a package of", or "a container of".

Is it correct to say "a carton" without specifying the contents?

While technically correct if the context is clear, it's better to specify the contents (e.g., "a carton of eggs") to avoid ambiguity.

What's the difference between "a carton of" and "a package of"?

"A carton of" typically refers to a box-like container, especially for liquids or eggs, while ""a package of"" is a more general term for items wrapped or contained together for sale.