contain pathogens

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "contain pathogens" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing health, biology, or safety, particularly when referring to substances or environments that may harbor harmful microorganisms. Example: "Certain types of waste can contain pathogens that pose a risk to public health."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

Their habit of regurgitating some of their food and expelling feces frequently, both of which may contain pathogens, contaminate food, food preparation surfaces and storage containers [ 7].

BMC Genomics

And some substances may contain pathogens or harmful chemicals.

Cornell University

The Agriculture Department, however, says that vulture vomit and droppings may contain pathogens.

The New York Times

Even if these don't contain pathogens, they attract raccoons and rats; and fats of any sort discourage the beneficial bacteria that break down plant material.

The New York Times

Another system tries to use light to detect aerosol clouds from miles away, but it cannot tell whether the clouds contain pathogens.

The New York Times

Unfortunately, our lab is not rated to work with or store human samples that may contain pathogens.

Yale University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

pestis PPIs contain pathogen proteins that are labeled as "putative", "hypothetical", or "uncharacterized".

Plosone

In common usage, the term polyclonal antibody preparation refers to immune sera that usually contain pathogen-specific antibodies of various isotypes and specificities.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Bacteria contain pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) motifs, such as LPS or lipoteichoic acid (LTA), that are potent stimulators of innate immunity.

BMC Genomics

Host-derived native HSP-peptide complexes from M. tuberculosis infected organs have been studied and shown to contain pathogen-derived peptides and, importantly, are capable of eliciting a protective immune response [ 110].

BioMed Research International

The genus Campylobacter contains pathogens causing a wide range of diseases, targeting both humans and animals.

Gene

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing potential health risks, explicitly state which substances or environments "contain pathogens" to clearly communicate the source of danger.

Common error

Avoid attributing the presence of pathogens to broad categories without specific evidence. Instead of saying "all soil contains pathogens", specify the type of soil or conditions that lead to contamination.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "contain pathogens" primarily functions as a verb phrase, indicating the presence of harmful microorganisms within a specific substance or environment. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "contain pathogens" is a grammatically correct and commonly used verb phrase that signifies the presence of harmful microorganisms. According to Ludwig AI, it's suitable for a range of contexts, especially in science, news, and academia. The phrase serves to inform or warn about potential health risks. While synonyms like "harbor pathogens" and "carry pathogens" exist, the best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Remember to avoid overgeneralizations and always provide specific details about the source of pathogens for clarity and accuracy. Ludwig's analysis of authoritative sources highlights the reliability and widespread acceptance of this phrase in formal and scientific writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

harbor pathogens

This alternative replaces "contain" with "harbor", suggesting a place of refuge or a source from which pathogens can spread.

harbour pathogens

This is a British English spelling variant of "harbor", indicating a refuge for pathogens.

carry pathogens

Substituting "contain" with "carry" emphasizes the transport or transmission aspect of the pathogens.

include pathogens

Replacing "contain" with "include" indicates that pathogens are among other components present.

be contaminated with pathogens

This phrase shifts the focus to the state of contamination, highlighting the presence of pathogens as a contaminant.

possess pathogens

Using "possess" suggests ownership or inherent presence of pathogens within something.

have pathogens present

This alternative emphasizes the existence of pathogens without specifying a container.

be host to pathogens

This phrase highlights the role of something as a host organism or environment for pathogens.

transmit pathogens

This focuses on the active role of spreading the pathogens, rather than just containing them.

spread pathogens

Similar to "transmit", this emphasizes the action of dispersing pathogens to new locations or hosts.

FAQs

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

You can use "contain pathogens" to describe substances or environments that may harbor harmful microorganisms. For example: "Unwashed vegetables may "contain pathogens" that can cause illness."

What can I say instead of "contain pathogens"?

You can use alternatives like "harbor pathogens", "carry pathogens", or "include pathogens" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "contain pathogens" or "containing pathogens"?

"Contain pathogens" is a verb phrase, while "containing pathogens" is a participial phrase. The choice depends on the sentence structure. For example, "Proper sanitation is crucial to prevent surfaces from containing pathogens" or "Water containing pathogens can pose a serious health risk".

What's the difference between "contain pathogens" and "harbor pathogens"?

"Contain pathogens" suggests that something holds or includes pathogens, while "harbor pathogens" implies that something provides a refuge or environment where pathogens can thrive. The nuance lies in whether the focus is on mere presence or a more supportive relationship.