contain a quantity of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "contain a quantity of" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when describing the amount of something that is held within a container or substance. An example is: "The bottle contains a quantity of water." Alternative expressions include "hold an amount of" and "have a volume of."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Both products are packaged in clear glassine packets that contain a quantity of coating mix sufficient to fry enough food for one meal.

Harvard University

In addition, Saturn may contain a quantity of material denser than both hydrogen and helium with a total mass as much as 30 times that of Earth, but its precise distribution cannot be determined from available data.

Britannica

The incubation obeys the 1/5 ratio for testing potential methanogenics, i.e., each digester has to contain a quantity of droppings (1.5 g COD) in the inoculum (7.5 g COD), so that the inoculum is not limited, but the organic matter accompanying the inoculum does not contribute to the production of biogas with respect to the substrate to be tested (Van Aarle et al. 2015).

International Journal of Recycling of Organic Waste in Agriculture

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

A remote-control helicopter has crashed into an Irish prison yard containing a quantity of drugs for inmates in the jail.

The Guardian

The novel contains a quantity of fairly straightforward reportage about the way that organ donation works (in France) on administrative, logistical and clinical levels.

The Guardian - Books

For the standardisation a very dilute solution is prepared by taking a small definite fraction of α solution containing a quantity of radium directly measurable by the penetrating rays.

Britannica

However, there is nothing impossible about the existence of such places containing a quantity of water like lakes: only they cannot be big enough to produce the supposed effect.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Dissident republican sources told the BBC the device contained a quantity of newly acquired Semtex explosives.

BBC

We treat one carton as one facing and each carton contains a quantity of six or twelve units.

Business Research

There was no mention of Semtex in the statement, but dissident sources have told the BBC that the device used on Friday contained a quantity of a newly acquired supply of the military grade explosive.

BBC

Our proposal consists of a k-d tree that is subdivided until each leaf node contains a quantity of objects less than or equal to the microarchitecture object limit.

EURASIP Journal on Embedded Systems

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "contain a quantity of", ensure the noun following "of" is appropriate for measuring. For example, "contain a quantity of water" is more suitable than "contain a quantity of happiness".

Common error

While grammatically correct, "contain a quantity of" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "has some" or "includes" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "contain a quantity of" functions as a verb phrase used to describe the contents of something. Ludwig AI examples show it is used to specify the amount or measure of a particular substance or element present within a defined space or object. This phrase establishes a clear relationship between a container or a system and its components.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "contain a quantity of" is a grammatically correct and useful expression for specifying the amount of something within a container or system. Ludwig AI analysis and its examples show that it is most commonly found in scientific, academic, and news contexts, where precision is valued. While appropriate for formal writing, simpler alternatives may be preferred in casual settings. Remember to use a measurable noun after "of" and avoid overusing the phrase in informal conversation to maintain clarity and appropriateness. The phrase is deemed correct and usable in various contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hold a certain amount of

Replaces "contain" with "hold" and "quantity" with "amount", slightly altering the image.

include a measure of

Substitutes "contain" with "include" and "quantity" with "measure", suggesting a component within a larger whole.

comprise some level of

Uses "comprise" instead of "contain" and "level" instead of "quantity", indicating a compositional element.

encompass a portion of

Replaces "contain" with "encompass" and "quantity" with "portion", implying a wider scope.

have a volume of

Focuses specifically on volume as the quantity being measured.

possess an element of

Highlights that something is included in an object.

exhibit a degree of

Indicates showing a characteristic

accommodate a number of

Indicates that it has the capacity to store some objects inside.

house a selection of

Indicates that it has the capacity to store some objects inside.

bear a semblance of

Expresses more of a resemblance of holding

FAQs

How can I rephrase "contain a quantity of" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives such as "hold a certain amount of" or "comprise some level of", which convey a similar meaning with enhanced sophistication.

What is a simpler way to express "contain a quantity of" in everyday language?

In everyday language, you can use phrases like "has some", "includes", or "carries" instead of "contain a quantity of" for a more natural and less formal tone.

Is it always necessary to specify the type of quantity when using "contain a quantity of"?

While not always mandatory, specifying the type of quantity (e.g., "contain a quantity of water", "contain a quantity of data") provides clarity and precision to your statement. Omitting it may lead to ambiguity depending on the context.

What's the difference between saying something "contains a quantity of" versus saying it "possesses" it?

Saying something "contains a quantity of" emphasizes the presence of a measurable amount within something else. Saying it "possesses" it, on the other hand, suggests ownership or inherent attribute. For example, "the bottle contains a quantity of water" focuses on the amount of water, while "the company possesses a large quantity of resources" highlights the company's assets.