containing something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "containing something" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an object, document, or substance that includes or holds a particular item or element. Example: "The box is containing something valuable that I need to retrieve."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

They were gas canisters, containing something like hydrogen or oxygen.

The New York Times - Magazine

At right is a water solution containing something better: curcumin encapsulated in 50-nanometer spheres that are far more easily absorbed and could allow lower doses in medical trials.

MIT Technology Review

This is especially true if the system is to be produced at a date far in the future, such as in the case of TERAFLUX, a system aimed at containing something like 1012 (1 TERA) transistors in a single package or a (multilayer) chip by 2020.

Advances in Computers

It is a natural fiber, exuded by a living thing and thus containing something of this life within it; its history represents the encounter between East and West; and its invitation to touch puts it in the same category as human skin.

The New Yorker

They are there to be admired, and can be ordered for some remote future date, when a box will arrive from a factory in New Jersey or China containing something more or less similar to what you saw in the showroom, if you can still remember it.

The New York Times

If one abstracts from their particularity, one is left with "no object containing something that an aesthetic judgment could determine".

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

"Everything in the show is a kind of container; a fridge, sound systems, objects that contain something," he said.

The Guardian - Arts

It contained something she valued.

The New York Times

Personality always contains something unique.

Harvard University

It also contains something called "sprout extract".

The New York Times

It contains something for almost everyone.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "containing something", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being contained and why it is relevant to the overall message. For example, be more specific, such as "containing a flammable substance."

Common error

Avoid using "containing something" without clarifying the nature of what is contained, as it can leave the reader wondering what the important or interesting content actually is.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "containing something" primarily functions as a descriptive element, often part of a larger sentence structure. It describes the state of an object or space, indicating that it includes or holds an unspecified item or element. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound and readily usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "containing something" is a grammatically correct and usable English expression used to describe an object or space that includes an unspecified element. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is versatile and appears in varied contexts, notably in news, scientific, and academic sources. While generally neutral in register, it's best practice to clarify what "something" refers to for better clarity and impact. Alternatives like "including some element" or "holding a certain item" can provide more specific meaning, depending on the intended context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

including some element

Focuses on the inclusion of a particular element, implying specificity rather than generality.

holding a certain item

Emphasizes the act of holding a tangible item, suggesting physical containment.

enclosing a specific thing

Highlights the act of surrounding and containing a specific entity, adding a sense of definition.

incorporating a feature

Suggests that a particular characteristic is built-in, implying integration rather than mere containment.

integrating a component

Indicates that a specific component is incorporated as an essential part.

having some substance

Highlights that something has inner essence, is substantive, significant or consequential.

accommodating a detail

Refers to accepting or adapting to a particular element in a way that is fitting or suitable.

filled with a material

Implies the space is occupied to the full capacity.

with an element of

Emphasizes the presence of a specific quality or component as a constituent part.

made up of one thing

Focuses on composition, and implies the structure or construction involves only one material.

FAQs

How can I use "containing something" in a sentence?

You can use "containing something" to describe an object or space that includes or holds a particular item or element. For example, "The box is containing something valuable that I need to retrieve".

What are some alternatives to "containing something"?

Alternatives include "including some element", "holding a certain item", or "enclosing a specific thing", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to be specific instead of saying "containing something"?

In many cases, yes. Being specific provides more clarity and avoids vagueness. For instance, instead of "The vial is containing something", you could say, "The vial is containing a potent toxin".

What does "containing something" imply about the object or space?

It suggests that the object or space has a particular item or element within it, which may or may not be significant depending on the context. It's often used when the exact nature of what's contained is either unknown or not immediately relevant.