does not contain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'does not contain' is a perfectly valid, correct, and usable part of written English.
You could use it in a sentence such as: "This recipe does not contain any dairy products."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It does not contain mint.

The New York Times - Food

does not contain a subsec.

Cornell University

does not contain a par.

Cornell University

This post does NOT contain spoilers.

The New Yorker

It does not contain extraordinary measures.

The Economist

Moreover, it does not contain moving parts.

Engineering Structures

Mr. Crichton does not contain the reader.

The New York Times - Style

And no, tequila does not contain worms.

The New York Times - Food

The capsicum itself does not contain capsaicin.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The metal bob does not contain sand.

The Guardian

Grapefruit does not contain the enzyme itself.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When clarifying ingredients or components, use "does not contain" to assure the absence of unwanted elements. For instance, "This product does not contain any artificial flavors."

Common error

Avoid using "does not contain" when you mean "does not restrain" or "does not control". "Contain" refers to inclusion, not physical restriction. For example, don't say "The fence does not contain the dog" when you mean "The fence does not restrain the dog".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "does not contain" functions as a declarative statement that something lacks a particular element or component. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in stating the absence of specific ingredients, features, or characteristics.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "does not contain" is a versatile phrase used to indicate the absence of something. It's grammatically sound and frequently employed across varied domains like news, science, and academia. Ludwig's examples underscore its role in providing clarity and assurance regarding ingredients, components, or features. The phrase maintains a neutral register, making it suitable for both formal and informal communications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

doesn't include

A more informal phrasing that means the same as "does not contain".

lacks

A more concise and direct way of saying "does not contain".

is without

Similar to "lacks", but slightly more emphatic in expressing the absence.

is devoid of

Replaces "does not contain" with a more formal expression indicating a complete lack of something.

is absent of

A more emphatic, though less common, way of saying "is without".

is free from

Implies that something has been intentionally kept out, often with positive connotations (e.g., "is free from additives").

excludes

Indicates a deliberate omission or removal, rather than a natural absence.

fails to have

Emphasizes the lack of possession or inclusion.

omits

Similar to "excludes", focusing on the act of leaving something out.

is not inclusive of

Highlights the lack of inclusiveness regarding a specific element.

FAQs

How can I use "does not contain" in a sentence?

Use "does not contain" to specify the absence of something within a particular item or substance. For example, "This beverage does not contain any added sugar."

What can I say instead of "does not contain"?

You can use alternatives like "is devoid of", "lacks", or "is without" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "does not contain" or "doesn't contain"?

Both "does not contain" and "doesn't contain" are correct. "Doesn't contain" is a contraction of "does not contain" and is more informal.

What is the difference between "does not include" and "does not contain"?

While similar, "does not contain" usually refers to ingredients or components that are inherently part of something, whereas "does not include" can refer to items that are deliberately left out or are not part of a set. "This recipe "does not contain" nuts" versus "This package "does not include" batteries".