a container of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a container of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an object that holds or contains something else, often in contexts related to food, liquids, or other materials. Example: "She opened a container of fresh strawberries to prepare for the dessert."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"One of my clients had a container of medication.

Vice

A container of helium sat on a work bench.

The New York Times

André appeared with a container of multicolored paillettes.

The New Yorker

She is a container of all their hostilities.

The New Yorker

And, for Dustin Keller, there was a container of pretzels.

The New York Times - Sports

I was sent away with a container of second helpings.

The Guardian

Keep a container of sand near the work area.

Princeton University

A trim older woman holding a container of low-fat frozen yogurt scowled disapprovingly.

The New York Times - Health

The family's most precious Christmas gift is a container of sniffable glue.

The New York Times - Books

Tests showed that a container of a certain size is needed for an effective explosion.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Recently on a trip to Baltimore, a friend had a container of crabmeat confiscated at security.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a container of", ensure the noun following "of" is specific and clearly identifies what is being contained. For example, use "a container of water" instead of "a container of liquid" for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using vague nouns after "a container of", such as "stuff" or "things". Instead, specify the contents to enhance the sentence's clarity and informativeness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a container of" functions as a determiner followed by a noun phrase, modifying another noun to indicate that something is held within a container. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically correct way to specify the contents of a container.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Wiki

21%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a container of" is a grammatically correct and versatile way to specify the contents held within a container, as validated by Ludwig AI. It is frequently used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media, Wiki, and Science, maintaining a neutral register. To ensure clarity, be specific about the contents. Common errors involve using vague nouns; instead, provide detailed information. Replace it with alternatives to add variety to the language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a vessel holding

Emphasizes the act of holding something within a vessel, similar to a container.

a receptacle for

Highlights the purpose of receiving and holding something.

a package containing

Focuses on the packaging aspect and its contents.

a quantity of

Shifts the focus to the amount or measure of something contained.

a supply of

Suggests a stock or reserve of something.

a store of

Implies a collection or accumulation of something.

a unit of

Highlights something being measured as a single element inside of the container.

filled with

Focuses on the container and the substance that the container is full with.

comprising of

Emphasizes the items that compose the container as a whole, it doesn't specify container content but container components.

an amount including

Focuses on the amount but also on the container being included into a bigger amount.

FAQs

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

Use "a container of" to specify that something is held or stored inside a container, for example, "I bought "a container of milk" from the store".

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

You can use alternatives like "a vessel holding", "a receptacle for", or "a package containing" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "a container of water" or "a container with water"?

"A container of water" is generally preferred, as "of" indicates possession or contents. "A container with water" implies the container has water but doesn't necessarily define its primary content.

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

"A container of" specifies that the contents are within a container, while "some" simply indicates a quantity. For example, "a container of juice" specifies that the juice is in a container, while "some juice" indicates an unspecified amount of juice.