a tub of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a tub of" is a common expression that is used in written English.
For example: "I went to the store to buy a tub of ice cream for the party."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

A tub of yogurt.

The New Yorker

In the pantry Mawmaw has a tub of mixed nuts.

The New Yorker

There was a tub of ice cream that wouldn't melt.

The New York Times - Food

Putting the stapler in a tub of Jell-O?

The New York Times

Beat a tub of cream until just whipped.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

She retrieved a tub of bread crumbs from the counter.

The New York Times - Food

A tub of flour conceals a cache of detonators.

The New York Times - Books

There are carnations, tulips and a tub of spring crocuses.

The Guardian

"Shall I take this?" asked one as he lifted a tub of a nutritional supplement.

The New York Times

A waiter cradled a tub of pistachio gelato under one arm.

The New Yorker

They're both very small, weighing about as much as a tub of margarine.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a tub of", ensure the context clearly indicates what is contained in the tub. Be specific if the type of tub (e.g., ice cream tub, plastic tub) is relevant to the meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "a tub with" when "a tub of" is intended to denote contents. "A tub with" typically describes a tub that possesses a certain attribute, not its contents.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a tub of" primarily functions as a noun phrase acting as a prepositional complement. It specifies the quantity or container of a substance or item. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Wiki

27%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a tub of" is a very common prepositional phrase used to describe the quantity of something contained within a tub. Grammatically correct and widely accepted, the phrase appears frequently in news, media, and general writing, as highlighted by Ludwig. While alternatives exist, such as "a container of" or "a bucket of", "a tub of" specifically implies a certain type of container. The phrase's purpose is mainly for quantification and providing context, as shown in the various examples provided. The Ludwig AI confirms its broad applicability and common usage across different registers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a container of

Replaces "tub" with a more general term for a receptacle, reducing specificity.

a bucket of

Substitutes "tub" with "bucket", implying a different shape and potentially size of container.

a pot of

Replaces "tub" with "pot", suggesting a rounder, often earthenware container.

a carton of

Substitutes "tub" with "carton", implying a cardboard or similar packaging.

a supply of

Replaces the container reference with an indication of quantity, losing the container imagery.

a load of

Substitutes "tub" with "load", generalizing the quantity without specifying a container.

a vat of

Replaces "tub" with "vat", implying a large, industrial-sized container.

a bowl of

Substitutes "tub" with "bowl", implying a smaller and often open container.

a can of

Replaces "tub" with "can", implying a cylindrical metal container.

a jar of

Substitutes "tub" with "jar", suggesting a glass container with a lid.

FAQs

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

The phrase "a tub of" is used to describe a quantity of something held in a tub. For example, "I bought "a tub of ice cream" for dessert".

What's a good alternative to "a tub of"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "a container of", "a bucket of", or "a supply of".

Is it correct to say "a tub with ice cream" instead of "a tub of ice cream"?

While grammatically understandable, "a tub with ice cream" implies the tub has ice cream as a feature, rather than containing it. "A tub of ice cream" is the standard way to indicate the tub's contents.

What kind of items are typically described as being in "a tub of"?

The phrase "a tub of" is commonly used to describe substances like ice cream, yogurt, margarine, or other semi-solid or granular items. It can also refer to items stored for convenience, such as "a tub of wet wipes" or "a tub of nuts".