contain him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "contain him" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to express the idea of restraining or controlling someone, either physically or metaphorically. Example: "The authorities had to take measures to contain him after he became a threat to public safety."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Once Garcia was forced right or left, the Rams' ends were rushing upfield, prepared to contain him.

The New York Times - Sports

Let's let us, kind of, try to contain him". Containment doesn't work with a man who is a madman.

Los Angeles Times

We tried to contain him".

The New York Times - Sports

They couldn't contain him.

The Guardian - Music

"Before, we could contain him.

The New York Times

You can contain him, contain him, contain him, and then all of a sudden, it's over".

The New York Times - Sports

Panama simply could not contain him.

The New York Times - Sports

You can only hope to contain him".

The New York Times - Sports

And when I say patient, I mean that you can contain him, contain him, contain him, but you can't think you've got him under control.

The New York Times - Sports

Juiced, few pitchers, even fellow juicers, could contain him.

The New York Times - Sports

On his day no bowler can contain him.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "contain him" in sports writing, consider the specific defensive strategies employed to limit an opposing player's impact on the game.

Common error

Avoid using "contain him" when a stronger term like "defeat him" or "stop him" is more appropriate. "Contain" implies limiting, not necessarily eliminating, his effectiveness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "contain him" primarily functions as a verb phrase, where "contain" is a transitive verb requiring a direct object ("him"). This construction is used to describe the act of limiting or controlling someone's actions or influence, as supported by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

0.5%

Reference

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "contain him" is a common and grammatically sound verb phrase used to describe the act of limiting someone's actions or influence. Ludwig examples show that it's frequently used in News & Media contexts, particularly in sports and political reporting. The phrase carries a neutral register and aims to communicate a strategy or effort to manage or restrict someone. Based on Ludwig AI analysis, the phrase is appropriate for various situations where the goal is to limit, but not necessarily eliminate, an individual's impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

restrain him

Focuses on physically or forcibly limiting his movement or actions.

control him

Emphasizes having power over his actions and decisions.

constrain him

Implies restricting his freedom or natural behavior.

limit his actions

Highlights restricting the scope of what he is able to do.

keep him in check

Suggests monitoring and preventing him from exceeding boundaries.

curb his influence

Specifically targets limiting his impact or power.

manage him

Suggests directing his behavior or actions within specific parameters.

hold him back

Implies preventing his progress or advancement.

impede his progress

Focuses on obstructing his development or forward movement.

stifle him

Highlights suppressing or smothering his expression or activity.

FAQs

How can I use "contain him" in a sentence?

You can use "contain him" to describe efforts to limit someone's influence or actions. For example, "The team's strategy was to contain him, preventing him from scoring."

What's a good alternative to "contain him"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "restrain him", "control him", or "limit his actions".

Is it correct to say "contain him" or "containing him"?

"Contain him" is generally used as an infinitive or imperative, while "containing him" would be used as a gerund or participle. The choice depends on the grammatical structure of the sentence.

In what situations is "contain him" most appropriate?

"Contain him" is suitable when the goal is to limit someone's impact without necessarily stopping them entirely. It's often used in sports, politics, and conflict scenarios.