contained a book

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "contained a book" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing something that includes or holds a book within it, such as a box, a package, or a collection. Example: "The old trunk contained a book that had been passed down through generations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

"For example, the library contained a book asserting that women are less reliable witnesses," the inspectors reported.

The Guardian

In 1812, the list also contained a book with the title Childe Harold's Pilgrimage – Murray had become Lord Byron's publisher.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

A cluttered bookshelf in the background, which was in sharp focus, contained a book titled "Hot Air".

The New York Times

After a dramatic pause, an aide handed Ashcroft a plastic bag of the type used to protect courtroom evidence; it contained a book bound in red leather.

The New Yorker

Under L'anza's interpretation of the Act, it presumably would be unlawful for a distributor to import copies of a British newspaper that contained a book review quoting excerpts from an American novel protected by a United States copyright.

Harvard University

The cards were contained in a box depicting Urania, the muse of astronomy, which also contained a book entitled A Familiar Treatise on Astronomy... written to accompany the cards.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

The package contains a book, "American Naturalization Records 1790-1990," and a search engine programmed for hunting down genealogy information on the Web.

The New York Times - Tech

He wore a tan raincoat and carried a knapsack containing a book and a couple of pieces of fruit, just in case he got hungry later in jail.

The New Yorker

"It's been very busy learning the job," she said as a U.P.S. delivery man dropped off a package containing a book on budgets.

The New York Times

The Hebrew scriptures contain a book of erotic verse – "My beloved thrust his hand into the opening, and my inmost being yearned for him.

The Guardian - Opinion

This multimedia kit contains a book, two 15 minute videos, and a CD-ROM, and is the proceedings of a conference held in Bologna in 1995.

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "contained a book" to clearly indicate that a book was physically present inside something else, such as a package or a room.

Common error

Avoid using "contained a book" when you mean to say the book "featured", "discussed", or "addressed" a topic. "Contained" is best reserved for physical containment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "contained a book" primarily functions as a descriptive element within a sentence, specifying the contents of something. As supported by Ludwig, it indicates that a particular item held or included a book. This construction typically appears as part of a larger clause.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "contained a book" is a grammatically correct and usable expression in English, primarily serving a descriptive function to indicate that something physically holds or includes a book. According to Ludwig, its usage is considered neutral, appearing most frequently in news and media, academic, and wiki contexts. While the phrase is straightforward, it's essential to use it accurately to avoid abstract or metaphorical misapplications. Remember, use "held a book" or "included a book" as alternatives to express similar meanings with slight nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

held a book

Replaces "contained" with "held", emphasizing physical holding.

included a book

Substitutes "contained" with "included", focusing on the book as part of a collection.

featured a book

Uses "featured" instead of "contained", suggesting the book was prominent.

comprised a book

Employs "comprised" to indicate the book as a component of something larger.

consisted of a book

Similar to 'comprised', but slightly more formal.

accommodated a book

Suggests the object had space for a book.

enclosed a book

Focuses on the act of surrounding the book.

encapsulated a book

Implies the book was completely surrounded or protected.

incorporated a book

Suggests a more integral inclusion of the book.

embodied a book

More abstract; suggests the book represented something.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "contained a book"?

You can use alternatives like "held a book", "included a book", or "featured a book" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "the box contained a book"?

Yes, "the box contained a book" is grammatically correct and commonly used to describe the contents of the box.

Can "contained a book" be used metaphorically?

While primarily used for physical containment, "contained a book" can be used metaphorically in certain contexts, although it's less common. For instance, one could say "the course contained a book of secrets" to express deeper knowledge.

What is the difference between "contained a book" and "included a book"?

"Contained a book" implies physical presence inside something, while "included a book" suggests that the book was part of a collection or list. Therefore, one is more precise than the other depending on the context.