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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
contains to
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "contains to" is not correct and usable in written English.
It does not convey a clear meaning and is not a standard expression in English. Example: "The document contains to the relevant information needed for the project." (This is incorrect.)
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
Academia
News & Media
Science
Wiki
Alternative expressions(20)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
33 human-written examples
The mix contains, to paraphrase their words, eighteen unreleased remixes and edits.
News & Media
But change the word "contains" to "channels" and Orff is back on the hook.
News & Media
The red cabinet is a 1960s Joe Colombo classic, issued again last year, and contains "to do" stuff.
News & Media
Older people too have contributed to boosting the number of people Greater London contains to the brink of its largest ever and beating the record set in 1939.
News & Media
"Orfeo" may very well be my favorite opera; it contains, to my mind, some of the most gorgeous music ever written.
News & Media
It would require statutory language more explicit than the Hobbs Act contains to justify a contrary conclusion". Id., at - ----, 111 S.Ct. at 1816-1817.
Academia
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
27 human-written examples
And trash seems to be contained to garbage cans.
News & Media
Rubio's plummet wasn't contained to just New Hampshire.
News & Media
Mostly, it's been contained to that store.
News & Media
Right now Instagram is really contained to the mobile phone.
News & Media
The latter remain sharply contained to their traditional markets.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Always use grammatically correct alternatives such as "contains", "includes", or "comprises" instead of "contains to".
Common error
Do not combine "contains" with the preposition "to". The correct usage is simply "contains" followed by the object it includes. For example, use "The book contains useful information" instead of "The book contains to useful information".
Source & Trust
81%
Authority and reliability
2.3/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
Contains typically functions as a transitive verb, indicating that something holds or includes something else. However, the construction "contains to" is grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI provides examples where "contains" is used correctly without the additional preposition "to".
Frequent in
Science
30%
News & Media
30%
Academia
20%
Less common in
Wiki
10%
Encyclopedias
5%
Formal & Business
5%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, the phrase "contains to" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided in both formal and informal writing. Ludwig AI identifies the correct usage of "contains" and suggests using alternatives like "includes" or "comprises" for clarity and accuracy. The analysis reveals that authoritative sources rarely, if ever, use this incorrect phrase. Therefore, it's crucial to use grammatically sound alternatives to ensure effective communication. The correct phrase, "contains", functions as a transitive verb and serves to describe the composition of something.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
includes
Replaces "contains to" with a more direct and grammatically correct term for indicating inclusion.
comprises
Offers a formal alternative to indicate the elements that make up something, similar to "contains".
holds
Suggests that something physically or metaphorically keeps or contains something else.
features
Highlights specific attributes or components present in something.
incorporates
Indicates that something is integrated or included as part of a whole.
is composed of
Expresses that something is made up of certain elements or parts.
consists of
Similar to "is composed of", indicating the components of something.
encompasses
Suggests a broader inclusion, where something covers or includes a wide range of elements.
carries
Implies that something bears or contains something else, often used in a figurative sense.
embodies
Indicates that something represents or contains essential qualities or characteristics.
FAQs
How can I correctly use the word "contains" in a sentence?
Use "contains" directly followed by the elements it includes. For example, "The recipe contains flour, sugar, and eggs" is correct. Avoid adding unnecessary prepositions like "to" after "contains".
What are some alternatives to "contains"?
Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "includes", "comprises", or "features". For example, instead of "The report contains data", you could say "The report "includes data"".
Is "contains to" grammatically correct?
No, "contains to" is not grammatically correct. The correct form is simply "contains". Avoid adding the preposition "to" after "contains".
Which is correct: "The box contains books" or "The box contains to books"?
"The box contains books" is the correct sentence. The phrase "contains to" is grammatically incorrect.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
81%
Authority and reliability
2.3/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested