found to contain

USAGE SUMMARY

"found to contain" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you are reporting something that you discovered is part of something else. For example: "The research sample was found to contain traces of the contaminant."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Collection originally found to contain mold.

Cornell University

All coatings were found to contain pinholes.

Surface and Coatings Technology

The bottled water was found to contain chlorine bleach.

The New York Times

Many of them were also found to contain pig DNA.

The Guardian

It was later found to contain data concerning flight training.

The New York Times

Some were found to contain twice as much cholesterol.

The Guardian - Opinion

Moreover, the RfCasp10 gene was found to contain 13 exons.

Gene

The dispersed phase was found to contain fibrils.

Polymer

The core was found to contain about 3% acrylic acid.

Polymer

His laptop computer was later found to contain information on crop dusting.

The New York Times

The caulk was found to contain more than 350 times the levels acceptable under federal guidelines.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "found to contain", ensure that the context clearly indicates what was discovered and where it was located. For example, "The sample was "found to contain" traces of lead."

Common error

Avoid overuse of the passive voice when using "found to contain". Instead of saying "The substance was "found to contain" chemicals", consider using the active voice: "Researchers found the substance contained chemicals".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "found to contain" serves as a descriptive verb phrase, typically used to report the results of an investigation or analysis. It highlights the discovery of specific elements or substances within a subject. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

40%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "found to contain" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to describe the discovery of specific elements within something. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's prevalent across diverse contexts, including science, news, and academia. When using this phrase, prioritize clarity and specificity, avoiding overuse of the passive voice. Consider alternatives like "discovered to include" or "revealed to have" for nuanced expression. Remember that while "found to contain" implies a recent discovery, "known to contain" indicates established knowledge.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

discovered to include

Focuses on the act of finding something as part of a larger whole, similar to "found to contain".

revealed to have

Emphasizes the uncovering of a characteristic or component.

determined to consist of

Highlights a more formal and analytical finding about composition.

ascertained to incorporate

Suggests a precise and detailed understanding of what something includes.

shown to harbor

Implies the presence of something, often with a nuance of providing refuge or concealment.

identified as possessing

Focuses on the characteristics or qualities that something is found to have.

established to hold

Highlights the confirmed presence or inclusion of something.

uncovered to feature

Emphasizes the discovery of prominent or notable components.

demonstrated to encompass

Indicates a comprehensive inclusion of various elements.

observed to manifest

Focuses on the visible or evident presence of something within.

FAQs

How can I use "found to contain" in a sentence?

Use "found to contain" to describe the discovery of specific components or elements within something, such as, "The water sample was "found to contain" high levels of bacteria".

What are some alternatives to "found to contain"?

You can use alternatives like "discovered to include", "revealed to have", or "determined to consist of" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "found to contain" or "was found to contain"?

"Found to contain" is often used in a more concise, descriptive way. "Was found to contain" adds emphasis to the action of finding, but both are grammatically correct.

What's the difference between "found to contain" and "known to contain"?

"Found to contain" implies a discovery, whereas "known to contain" suggests established knowledge. For instance, "This product is "known to contain" allergens" versus "The product was "found to contain" previously undisclosed allergens".