contains of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase “contains of” is not a correct or usable part of a sentence in written English.
A sentence would more correctly use the word “contains” followed by a noun or noun phrase. For example: The box contains a variety of tools.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This book's subtitle contains of course a fundamental category error.

The Guardian - Books

A regiment normally contains of around 650 soldiers depending on its role.

The Guardian

The system contains of two types of air ducts with independent intake channels and fans.

Journal of Power Sources

The structure of the master plan contains of three essential components: roadmap, framework, and guidelines.

Journal of Cleaner Production

And yet its power - in fact, its terror - comes from the sense it contains of how we live today.

The New York Times - Arts

The LCD touch screen we use contains of 2 parts, a 2.8 " TFT LCD screen and the touch panel.

Cornell University

(The coffin contains of one stone). In the coffin we found body and the head to north.

Harvard University

The name is derived from the variants it contains of proteins found on the surface of all influenza viruses.

The Economist

Multimedia big data analyzing is the new topic that focus on all features of distributed computing systems that contains of a combination of text, visual and audio modalities.

Neurocomputing

Mapping South Africa will long remain a standard work of its kind, appreciated for its informative text and for the beautiful reproductions it contains of some 85 maps.

Stanford University

The Welfare Reform and Work Bill contains of a large number of measures, but there are five that have stood out as particularly controversial.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "contains of" in formal writing. Instead, use "contains" or "consists of" for grammatical correctness.

Common error

The phrase "contains of" incorrectly adds a preposition. Remember that "contains" directly takes an object; you should say "The box contains books" not "The box contains of books".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "contains of" functions as a verb phrase intending to express inclusion or composition, but it is grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI highlights, the correct usage is "contains" followed directly by the object. The presence of the preposition "of" is superfluous and violates standard English grammar rules.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

38%

Academia

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "contains of" is a grammatically incorrect construction. While common, as demonstrated by Ludwig's numerous examples, it should be avoided in favor of the correct form, "contains", or suitable alternatives like "consists of" or "includes". Ludwig AI clearly indicates the grammatical error, emphasizing the need for writers to opt for more precise and grammatically sound options. Despite its frequent appearance across various sources, including science, news media, and academia, its incorrect usage detracts from credibility, especially in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

consists of

Synonymous, but uses a different verb to express composition.

is composed of

Passive voice construction indicating the parts that form the whole.

includes

Indicates that something is part of a larger group or set.

is comprised of

Formal and synonymous, indicating the elements that make up a whole.

incorporates

Suggests integration or inclusion as part of a design or system.

features

Highlights specific elements or attributes that are present.

is made up of

Informal way to express the components of something.

holds

Implies that something has the capacity to contain or include something else.

encompasses

Indicates a wide range of elements or aspects included.

is constituted by

Formal, emphasizing the elements that form or establish something.

FAQs

What is the correct way to use "contains" in a sentence?

The verb "contains" should be followed directly by the object it holds. For example, say "The recipe contains flour, sugar, and eggs" instead of the incorrect "The recipe contains of flour, sugar, and eggs".

Is it ever correct to use the phrase "contains of"?

No, the phrase "contains of" is grammatically incorrect. Use "contains" or consider alternatives like "consists of", "includes", or "is composed of" depending on the intended meaning.

What are some alternatives to "contains of" that I can use in my writing?

Depending on the context, you can use "contains", "comprises", "includes", or "consists of" instead of the grammatically incorrect "contains of".

How can I remember to avoid using "contains of"?

A helpful tip is to remember that "contains" functions like "has". You wouldn't say "The car has of wheels"; you'd say "The car has wheels". Similarly, use "contains" directly followed by the object, without the extra "of".