contained around

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "contained around" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in contexts where you want to describe something that is surrounded or enclosed by something else, but it is not commonly used. Example: "The information was contained around the main topic, making it difficult to find the key points."

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Mouse fetal ovaries were explanted on 12.5 dpc; at this stage, each gonad contained around 5,000 oogonia.

Environmental Health Perspectives

An initial set of images contained around 5,000 pictures, from which 1,356 images were selected.

Behavior Research Methods

In this experiment, the volume of the microcontainer was 60 fL; at a β-gal concentration of 37 nM, each container contained around 1,300 enzymes.

Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry

That device contained around 200lbs of explosives.

The Guardian

Each tube contained around a billion particles of Ebola virus.

The New Yorker

A survey by the agency found that a mug of filter coffee contained around 140mg of caffeine.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The limo contained around twenty other men, all dressed really well, and all very buff, with handsome faces.

The New Yorker

The World Health Organization declared today that SARS had been contained around the world, with no new cases reported to the agency by any country since June 15.

The New York Times

This View of Delft depicts the town on the morning of Monday October 12, 1654, the day Delft's magazine, which contained around 90,000lb of gunpowder, exploded.

The Guardian

Irish fielded a much stronger side than Northampton – the home team contained around half of the Exiles' first-choice XV – and the selection paid off.

The Guardian - Sport

Mary Huffman, a landscape conservation network director for the Nature Conservancy, says a healthy ponderosa pine forest has historically contained around 70 trees per acre.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider whether a more precise term like "surrounded by" or "enclosed within" might be more appropriate for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "contained around" excessively in formal writing. It can sometimes sound vague or less precise than alternatives like "surrounded by" or "enclosed within". Choose the option that best reflects the relationship you want to convey.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "contained around" functions primarily as a verb phrase, indicating that something is either physically enclosed or conceptually limited within a certain scope. The provided examples through Ludwig highlight its use in describing the physical contents of objects, like a bomb containing explosives, as well as the conceptual scope of discussions or data.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

49%

News & Media

47%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "contained around" is a verb phrase used to describe enclosure, proximity, or scope. Ludwig examples show its use across scientific and news contexts, indicating a neutral to formal register. While common, more precise alternatives like "surrounded by" or "enclosed within" may sometimes be preferable. While Ludwig AI indicates acceptability, mindful usage ensures clarity and precision in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

enclosed within

Emphasizes complete surrounding; stronger sense of physical boundary.

surrounded by

Focuses on the presence of elements on all sides; less about physical containment.

situated within

Implies a specific placement or context; slightly more formal.

located nearby

Indicates spatial proximity without necessarily implying enclosure.

in close proximity to

Stresses the closeness of the objects without necessarily implying containment.

held within

Highlights the act of holding or keeping something inside.

confined within

Emphasizes restriction of movement or space; stronger sense of limitation.

present in the vicinity of

More formal way to express something existing in the nearby area.

bordered by

Focuses on adjacent boundaries; more about lines than volumes.

in the neighborhood of

Informal way to indicate an approximate location.

FAQs

What does "contained around" mean?

The phrase "contained around" generally means that something is located within or enclosed by something else, or that it is situated in the vicinity of something. It suggests a relationship of proximity or inclusion.

How can I use "contained around" in a sentence?

You can use "contained around" to describe physical locations, amounts, or even abstract concepts. For example: "The explosives were "contained" around the trigger mechanism", or "The discussion was "contained" around the central issue of the budget".

What are some alternatives to "contained around"?

Some alternatives to "contained around" include "surrounded by", "enclosed within", "located nearby", or "situated within". The best alternative depends on the specific context.

When is it best to avoid using "contained around"?

It's often best to avoid using "contained around" in highly formal or technical writing, where more precise language is preferred. In those cases, alternatives like "enclosed within" or "surrounded by" may be more suitable.