contain the fire

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "contain the fire" is correct and usable in written English.
For example, you might use it in a sentence like this: Firefighters worked quickly to contain the fire before it spread to nearby homes.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Firefighters were able to contain the fire.

The Guardian

Officials expected to completely contain the fire on Sept. 15.

The New York Times

They battled to contain the fire for four hours, before being overwhelmed.

The Guardian - Business

"These apartments are designed to contain the fire for two hours".

The New York Times

Abraham Lincoln struggled to contain the "fire in the rear" during the Civil War.

Britannica

They have managed to contain the fire and prevent a serious escalation.

Independent

More than 120 firefighters battled to contain the fire in Tottenham and prevent it from spreading to two other warehouses.

The Guardian

Rain is expected next week, which could help cool the smoldering areas and help firefighters control and contain the fire.

The Guardian

It eventually took firefighters 80 minutes to contain the fire and remove the charred battery from the plane.

The New York Times

Mrs. Calabria, who runs a medical billing business from home, could not get much information from the teams of emergency workers trying feverishly to contain the fire.

The New York Times

Fire chiefs said crews were working flat out to contain the fire as much as possible before a weekend heatwave brought triple-digit temperatures.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about efforts to stop a fire, use "contain the fire" to emphasize preventing its spread, especially to protect surrounding areas or structures.

Common error

Avoid using "contain the fire" when the fire has already been extinguished. "Contain" implies ongoing efforts to control its spread, not the final act of putting it out.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "contain the fire" functions as a verb phrase, where "contain" is the main verb and "the fire" is the direct object. This construction describes the action of preventing a fire from spreading, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

10%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "contain the fire" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase, particularly in news and media contexts, to describe efforts to prevent a fire from spreading. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While primarily literal, it can also be used metaphorically. Alternatives include "control the fire" or "suppress the fire", depending on the desired nuance. When using this phrase, ensure that the context involves ongoing efforts to control the fire, not its complete extinguishment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

control the fire

Emphasizes managing the fire's behavior and spread.

suppress the fire

Highlights the act of actively preventing the fire from escalating.

extinguish the fire

Focuses on completely putting out the fire.

manage the blaze

Similar to "control the fire", but "blaze" implies a larger, more intense fire.

limit the fire's spread

Specifically addresses restricting how far the fire can reach.

restrict the fire

Focuses on setting boundaries or limits on the fire's activity.

curb the fire

Implies restraining or checking the fire's progress.

bring the fire under control

Suggests a process of gaining mastery over the fire.

halt the fire's progression

Highlights stopping the forward movement of the fire.

fight the fire

Focuses on the act of combating the fire.

FAQs

How is "contain the fire" typically used in a sentence?

It's commonly used to describe the actions of firefighters or other emergency personnel attempting to prevent a fire from spreading. For example, "Firefighters worked tirelessly to contain the fire before it reached nearby homes."

What are some alternatives to "contain the fire"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "control the fire", "suppress the fire", or "limit the fire's spread".

Is it correct to say "contained the fire"?

Yes, "contained the fire" is the past tense form and is correct when describing an action that has already been completed. For example, "The firefighters contained the fire within a few hours."

What does it mean to "contain the fire" in a metaphorical sense?

While primarily used in a literal sense, "contain the fire" can metaphorically refer to managing or limiting a problem or crisis to prevent it from escalating or spreading. For example, "The government took measures to contain the economic crisis".