contained less than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "contained less than" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing quantities, measurements, or amounts that are below a certain threshold. Example: "The container was found to have contained less than five liters of liquid."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

All but one contained less than 20 parts per billion.

The New York Times - Health

One premixed bag contained less than 1percentt of the Gemzar prescribed.

The New York Times

Each of these regions contained less than 15% of the world's proven reserves.

Encyclopedia Britannica

All of the samples from CremaLita contained less than 1percentt fat, which makes them essentially fat free.

The New York Times - Food

Prior to the events, the water contained less than one-tenth of a microgram of perchlorate per liter.

The New York Times - Science

The diet in the new study contained less than half as much salt as most Americans eat.

The New York Times

None of his six lattes contained 16 ounces as advertised – one contained less than 12 ounces after the foam settled.

The Guardian - Business

The supercooled liquid region can be found when the TFMG contained less than 7.1 at.% nitrogen.

Surface and Coatings Technology

Among these journals, 1432 (80%%) journals contained less than 10 articles.

Applied Water Science

For subject profile; type II, type III, and type IV studies contained less than half of the 11 critical items.

Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Most surface streams contained less than 200 mg/l of carbonate and bicarbonate, but in ground water somewhat higher.

Applied Water Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing amounts, ensure the units of measurement are consistent (e.g., "contained less than 10 grams" versus "contained less than 1 ounce").

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by clearly stating what is being compared. For instance, instead of "The sample contained less than expected", specify "The sample contained less arsenic than expected based on previous analyses."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "contained less than" primarily functions as a comparative quantifier, indicating that a particular quantity or amount is smaller than a specified value. As Ludwig confirms, it is grammatically sound and readily used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

51%

News & Media

36%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "contained less than" is a versatile phrase used to express that a certain quantity is below a specified amount. As Ludwig AI states, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used across various domains, especially in science and news reporting. When employing this phrase, it's crucial to ensure clarity by stating the compared entities. Consider alternatives like "held fewer than" or "was below" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was below

Simply states that a value was lower than a given point.

held fewer than

Focuses on the number of items held, emphasizing the quantity rather than the content.

included less than

Highlights the inclusion of a smaller quantity, suggesting it's part of a larger whole.

amounted to less than

Formally specifies the final quantity was smaller than the mentioned one.

measured less than

Specifically used when describing a measurement that is smaller than a given value.

had under

A more informal way to express an amount below a specific value.

did not exceed

Emphasizes that a value remained below a limit, focusing on the upper bound.

totaled under

Focuses on the overall sum being lower than a certain number.

fell short of

Indicates that a certain amount failed to reach a target or expectation.

did not reach

Similar to "fell short of", but can apply to both quantities and achievements.

FAQs

How do I use "contained less than" in a sentence?

Use "contained less than" to indicate that an amount or quantity was below a specified threshold. For example, "The sample "contained less than" 1% impurities."

What are some alternatives to "contained less than"?

You can use phrases like "held fewer than", "included less than", or "was below" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "contain less than" instead of "contained less than"?

The verb tense depends on the context. "Contain less than" is used for present or general statements, while "contained less than" is used for past events or conditions.

What is the difference between "contained less than" and "did not exceed"?

"Contained less than" implies a quantity below a certain amount, while "did not exceed" emphasizes that a value remained below a limit. The former focuses on the actual amount, the latter on a maximum threshold.