feel contained

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "feel contained" is correct and can be used in written English.
It means to have a sense of being restrained or restricted in one's emotions or actions. Example: "Despite her best efforts, she couldn't help but feel contained in the conservative society she lived in, where expressing one's true feelings was not encouraged."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"If you sit, you'll feel contained by the hedge," he said.

The New York Times

When people feel contained, yet free, they are able to think and work together with increasing ease.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

My personal favourite is that from his least admired novel, The Information: Cities at night, I feel, contain men who cry in their sleep and then say Nothing.

The Guardian - Books

I did very much enjoy, though, imagining Martin Amis reading the authors' dissection of The Information's opening sentence ("Cities at night, I feel, contain men who cry in their sleep and then say Nothing"), which they use as an example of the kind of writing the algorithm disapproves of.

The Guardian - Books

Tesla claims they're doing this because the episode they feel contains blatant lies has been re-broadcasted and is widely available.

TechCrunch

Subjects were asked to: "Please select the box that you believe contains the digitally altered area of the photograph (if you believe that more than one region contains digital alteration, please select the one you feel contains the majority of the change)." On average, manipulations spanned two regions in the grid.

Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications

"Untitled (How Does It Feel)" contains a vintage style and sound similar to that of Prince's early musical work.

Wikipedia

This is a brown silty mud with a fine-gritty feel, containing sub-mm sized bone fragments.

eLife

My memory of her feels contained within servers and hard drives, locked away and inaccessible.

The New York Times

But this, the Spam postcard and the note, he felt contained the correct combination of offhandedness and intent.

The New Yorker

Even the anthrax scare, which for a time seemed as if it might turn out to be another sort of bullet bearing down on us, ultimately felt contained.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "feel contained" when you want to express a sense of emotional or physical restriction, often due to external circumstances or internal inhibitions. Ensure that the context clearly indicates what is causing this feeling of containment.

Common error

Avoid using "feel contained" solely to describe physical spaces. While it can be used metaphorically, ensure the primary meaning relates to a subjective experience of restriction, not just a description of a small space.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "feel contained" functions as a stative verb phrase, describing a state of being. It combines the verb "feel", indicating an emotional or sensory experience, with the past participle "contained", acting as an adjective to describe the nature of that feeling. Ludwig confirms this.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "feel contained" describes a state of experiencing restriction or limitation, as validated by Ludwig. It is grammatically correct and used in neutral contexts, primarily in News & Media and Scientific sources. While the phrase isn't overly common, understanding its meaning and appropriate usage, especially in contrast to purely physical confinement, can enhance clarity and precision in writing. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. Related phrases like "feel restricted" or "feel hemmed in" can offer alternative ways to express similar concepts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

feel restricted

Replaces "contained" with a direct synonym, emphasizing limitation.

feel confined

Similar to "restricted", but often implies physical or spatial limitation.

feel boxed in

Similar to "hemmed in", but with a stronger sense of being trapped.

feel hemmed in

Uses a more informal idiom to suggest being surrounded or confined.

feel stifled

Implies that something is preventing free expression or development.

feel constrained

Highlights the feeling of being forced or compelled to act in a certain way.

feel penned in

Evokes a sense of being trapped or enclosed, like livestock.

feel suppressed

Suggests that emotions or actions are being forcibly held back.

feel limited

Focuses on a lack of options or possibilities.

feel under wraps

Indicates that something is being kept secret or under control.

FAQs

How can I use "feel contained" in a sentence?

You can use "feel contained" to describe a sense of restriction, for example: "She began to "feel contained" by the rigid rules of her upbringing."

What does it mean to "feel contained"?

To "feel contained" means to experience a sense of restriction or limitation, whether emotional, physical, or circumstantial.

Is it correct to say "feel contained"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to say "feel contained". Ludwig AI also confirms its correct usage.

What are some similar phrases to "feel contained"?

Alternatives to "feel contained" include "feel restricted", "feel hemmed in", or "feel confined", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.