contained the first

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "contained the first" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to something that includes or holds the initial instance of something, often in a historical or sequential context. Example: "The ancient manuscript contained the first known recipe for bread."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

They contained the first inductees into the dedicated units.

The Guardian

Prys's Psalter contained the first Welsh metrical hymns.

Encyclopedia Britannica

However, unlike previous declarations, this one contained the first steps towards creating Brics institutions.

The Guardian - Opinion

A zip file posted online contained the first free sample of the agency's hacking tools.

The New York Times

The first half of the 11th century contained the first glimmerings of a rediscovered dialectic.

Britannica

It contained the first three segments of a projected nine-part epic drama.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But the Sunday Life article contained the first public suggestion that Price had given an interview to Boston College.

The New Yorker

"The Profitable Arte of Gardening," by Thomas Hill, from 1593, contained the first woodcut of a garden published in England.

The New York Times - Books

One contained the first incarnation of the Pale Man, the ogre that chases Ofelia in "Pan's Labyrinth".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Psychogenocide broke new ground with a track that its lead vocalist Rajeh Jamess) Khazaal said contained the "first-ever Arabic growl".

The New York Times

In each of these ANOVAs, there were 16 conditions that contained the first-level contrast images corresponding to each condition relative to fixation.

Cerebral Cortex

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "contained the first", ensure that you are referring to something that demonstrably holds or includes the earliest instance of something. Be specific about what is being contained.

Common error

Avoid using "contained the first" when referring to abstract concepts that cannot be physically held or included. For example, instead of saying "the theory contained the first idea", consider "the theory introduced the first idea."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "contained the first" functions as a verb phrase that indicates the inclusion of an initial instance within something else. It highlights that something holds the original or earliest occurrence. As Ludwig AI shows, this phrase appears in a wide variety of contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Encyclopedias

27%

Science

25%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "contained the first" is a versatile verb phrase used to indicate that something includes the initial instance of something else. As demonstrated by Ludwig AI's analysis, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently appears in various contexts, including news, encyclopedias, and scientific publications. The phrase is considered neutral to formal, is easy to understand and is widely used. For alternative phrasing, you might consider phrases like "included the initial", "held the earliest", or "featured the debut". When using "contained the first", clarity and context are essential to avoid misuse with abstract concepts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

included the initial

Replaces "contained" with "included" and "first" with "initial", slightly altering the emphasis but maintaining the core meaning.

held the earliest

Substitutes "contained" with "held" and "first" with "earliest", focusing on possession and time respectively.

featured the debut

Replaces "contained" with "featured" and "first" with "debut", emphasizing prominence and the beginning.

presented the original

Substitutes "contained" with "presented" and "first" with "original", emphasizing the act of showing and the source.

encompassed the primary

Replaces "contained" with "encompassed" and "first" with "primary", broadening the scope and emphasizing importance.

incorporated the pioneering

Replaces "contained" with "incorporated" and "first" with "pioneering", highlighting integration and innovation.

embodied the nascent

Substitutes "contained" with "embodied" and "first" with "nascent", focusing on representation and the early stage.

displayed the premier

Replaces "contained" with "displayed" and "first" with "premier", emphasizing visibility and top status.

consisted of the initial

Replaces "contained" with "consisted of" and "first" with "initial", changing the structure to emphasize composition.

marked the inaugural

Substitutes "contained" with "marked" and "first" with "inaugural", shifting the focus to significance and commencement.

FAQs

How can I use "contained the first" in a sentence?

Use "contained the first" to indicate that something includes the initial instance of something else. For example, "The document contained the first mention of the new policy."

What are some alternatives to "contained the first"?

Alternatives include "included the initial", "held the earliest", or "featured the debut", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "contains the first" instead of "contained the first"?

The correct tense depends on the context. Use "contains the first" for present tense and "contained the first" for past tense. For example, "This book contains the first chapter" versus "That book contained the first chapter".

What's the difference between "contained the first" and "introduced the first"?

"Contained the first" implies physical or abstract inclusion, while "introduced the first" suggests presentation or origination. For example, "The report contained the first findings" versus "The speaker introduced the first concept".