enclosing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "enclosing" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used when referring to something that is included within a letter, document, or package. Example: "Please find the documents enclosed for your review."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A searing examination of the ravages of mental illness and the limitations of 1950s American society, The Bell Jar tells the story of college student Esther Greenwood, and the enclosing bell jar of her depression.

The Guardian - Books

My three tacos are a Pueblan triumph, simple yet elegant: soft corn tortillas enclosing a healthy handful of cecina (salted, dried and grilled beef), some chopped tomato and onion, some pico de gallo and a spray of lettuce and coriander leaves.

The Economist

The Dutch invented the word "polder" centuries ago to describe dry land created by enclosing floodplains (or shallow waters) with dykes.

The Economist

The façade consists of two layers of glass (the outer one double-glazed) enclosing a ventilated cavity with computer-controlled blinds.

The Economist

This is to be a nine- or ten-level museum (rising five storeys above ground) enclosing 74,000 square feet and costing just short of $30m.

The Economist

THE full extent of his country's isolation was brought home to an Iraqi graduate student, Muhammad Darwish, when he wrote to the British Library, enclosing some of its own pre-paid coupons, and asking it to post him some photocopied material on semiotics.

The Economist

It was written in 1937 by Olaf Stapledon and proposed that an advanced civilisation with a huge demand for energy might sate that demand by building a sphere enclosing its home star.

The Economist

For instance, a team at Stanford University is investigating enclosing the lithium-based anodes used by Li-ion batteries in a thin film of carbon "nanospheres".

The Economist

The only thing that shows is a wire fence enclosing a small area of valves and pipes.

The Economist

They are enclosing protest letters with every cheque.Mr Morales has a historic opportunity to use Bolivia's gas to overcome the country's backwardness.

The Economist

When the levees enclosing the Industrial Canal failed during Hurricane Katrina last August, most of this poor black neighbourhood disappeared.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the physical structure of something, use "enclosing" to clearly convey the idea of something being surrounded or contained within another structure. For instance, "The walls were enclosing a secret garden."

Common error

Avoid using "enclosing" in abstract contexts where "including" or "comprising" would be more appropriate. For instance, instead of saying 'The project is enclosing several key elements', it's better to say 'The project includes several key elements'.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "enclosing" is that of a present participle, often used adjectivally to describe a noun it modifies. As Ludwig AI confirms, the word is grammatically correct and commonly used. For example, "the walls enclosing the garden."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

31%

News & Media

28%

Science

23%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

4%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "enclosing" functions as a present participle that effectively describes the act of surrounding or containing something. Ludwig AI validates that it is grammatically sound and frequently employed. Its usage spans various domains, including news, encyclopedias, and scientific literature, with a register ranging from neutral to formal. When writing, it’s best to use "enclosing" to convey physical containment and avoid overuse in abstract contexts where words like "including" are more appropriate. Related terms such as "surrounding" and "containing" provide alternative ways to express similar ideas.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

surrounding

Focuses on the act of being all around something.

encircling

Implies forming a circle around something.

containing

Highlights the aspect of holding something within.

bounding

Stresses setting limits or boundaries.

compassing

Emphasizes including or embracing something.

confining

Suggests restricting something within a space.

embracing

Implies holding or surrounding something closely.

surrounding with

Adds the preposition "with" to explicitly state what something is surrounded by.

encapsulating

Emphasizes protecting or isolating something.

bordering

Implies lying along the edge or boundary.

FAQs

How can I use "enclosing" in a sentence?

The word "enclosing" is used to describe something that surrounds or contains something else. For example, "The fence is enclosing the garden", or "The document is "enclosing the report"".

What's the difference between "enclosing" and "including"?

"Enclosing" suggests physically surrounding or containing something, while "including" simply means that something is a part of a larger group. For instance, a fence is "enclosing" a yard, but a list is "including" several items.

What are some alternatives to "enclosing"?

Alternatives to "enclosing" include "surrounding", "encircling", "containing", or "bounding", depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "enclosing to the letter"?

While you can "enclose" something with a letter, the phrase "enclosing to the letter" is not idiomatic. The correct phrasing would be something like "I am enclosing this document with the letter".