Used and loved by millions

Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

MitStanfordHarvardAustralian Nationa UniversityNanyangOxford

act contain

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "act contain" is not correct and does not make sense in written English.
It seems to be a combination of two separate words that do not form a coherent expression together. Example: "The document should act to contain all relevant information."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Nor does the Act contain an invalid delegation of legislative power.

Brandis on Sunday said that clauses in the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act contain "extremely loose" language that "provides a red carpet for vigilante litigation".

News & Media

The Guardian

Sections 112, 130, 131, and 185 of the Act contain the liability provisions for failing to comply with the requirements of the Act and this part.

Doesn't the Affordable Care Act contain a lot of proposals to get costs under control, like comparative effectiveness studies and reimbursing doctors based on their performance?

Perhaps warming to this theme, a bit later he confides that the closing pages of The Children Act contain an explicit homage to James Joyce's greatest short story, The Dead.

A wide range of bills signed by the President in recent years, including the latest National Defence Authorisation Act, contain provisions that have been interpreted as potentially allowing for a previously unthinkable erosion of the rights of US citizens.

News & Media

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

THE JOBS Act contains investor protections.

News & Media

The New York Times

.” The Pennsylvania Act contains a similar provision.

That Act contains a broad severability clause.

The Affordable Care Act contains none of these.

The Social Security Act contains the same provision.

Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "act contain". Use grammatically correct alternatives such as "act includes", "act encompasses", or "act comprises" to accurately convey the intended meaning.

Common error

A common mistake is to use "contain" as a direct verb to describe what an act holds. Instead, use verbs like "include", "encompass", or "stipulate" to maintain grammatical accuracy.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

88%

Authority and reliability

2.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "act contain" functions as a verb phrase intended to describe the content or provisions of a legal act. However, Ludwig AI indicates this phrase is not grammatically correct. Correct alternatives are needed to properly convey the intended meaning.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Academia

43%

News & Media

57%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "act contain" appears in various contexts, particularly in academia and news media, Ludwig AI points out it is grammatically incorrect. To accurately describe the contents of a legal act, it is recommended to use alternatives such as "act includes", "act encompasses", or "act comprises". By adopting these correct phrases, you ensure clarity and maintain a formal and professional tone in legal and governance contexts. Using these alternatives will also improve the accuracy of your writing.

FAQs

What is a correct alternative to "act contain"?

Instead of "act contain", you can use phrases like "act includes", "act encompasses", or "act comprises" to accurately describe what an act holds.

How to properly describe the contents of a legal act?

To describe the contents of a legal act, use verbs that accurately reflect its function, such as "stipulate", "specify", or "provide". For example, "The act stipulates specific conditions".

Is "act contain" grammatically correct?

No, "act contain" is not grammatically correct. The correct phrasing would be to use verbs like "include", "encompass", or "comprise" to describe what an act holds. Thus, phrases like "act includes", "act encompasses", or "act comprises" are acceptable alternatives.

What's the difference between "act includes" and "act contains"?

While both phrases aim to describe what is within an act, "act includes" is grammatically correct, whereas "act contains" is not. Use "act includes" to properly indicate that the act has certain provisions or elements.

ChatGPT power + Grammarly precisionChatGPT power + Grammarly precision
ChatGPT + Grammarly

Editing plus AI, all in one place.

Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.

Source & Trust

88%

Authority and reliability

2.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: