he contains

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of a sentence "he contains" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used when describing a person, object, or idea that has the ability to hold or include something within it. Example: "The jar was small, but he contains all of my hopes and dreams."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

He contains multitudes and contradictions.

The New York Times - Books

He is large; he contains contradictions.

The Guardian - Books

He contains multitudes, which explains the amplitude and the waddle.

The Guardian - Opinion

He contains multitudes, and London suits them all.

The New York Times - Magazine

He is a cipher, and he contains multitudes.

The New Yorker

He contains multitudes — all of them dangerously ignorant.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

Similar to traditional restriction endonucleases, the HE makes a double strand break, and the HE containing element is copied during repair into the intein/intron free allele [ 15].

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Presence of the HE containing element makes the allele resistant to HE digestion.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Look at that man looking from the stalled window-he contains many absences.

The New York Times - Books

Rare events of genetic exchange that bring HE containing alleles together with intron/intein free alleles might be sufficient to maintain the HE under purifying selection.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

He contained multitudes.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he contains" to suggest a person or entity holds a wide range of attributes, ideas, or characteristics, especially when highlighting contradictions or complexities. For example, "He contains multitudes" is a reference to Walt Whitman and means that he embodies a diverse collection of traits.

Common error

Avoid using "he contains" when simpler verbs like "includes" or "has" would suffice. The phrase carries a nuance of complexity and depth, so reserve it for situations where this is genuinely the case.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he contains" functions as a verb phrase, where "contains" is the main verb indicating inclusion or embodiment. Ludwig AI validates that this structure is grammatically sound and commonly used. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in describing a person possessing a multitude of characteristics or qualities.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

28%

Academia

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he contains" is a grammatically correct and relatively common way to express that someone or something embodies a set of characteristics or elements. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase appears most frequently in News & Media and Science, indicating its suitability for both formal and neutral contexts. The phrase is often used to highlight complexity or contradiction within a subject. While other options like "he embodies" or "he includes" may be suitable alternatives, "he contains" carries a specific nuance of depth and complexity that should be considered when choosing the most appropriate wording. Remember to reserve this phrase for situations where it adds meaningful context, avoiding overuse in overly simplistic cases.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he embodies

Replaces "contains" with "embodies", focusing on the representation of qualities.

he includes

Substitutes "contains" with "includes", highlighting the act of incorporating elements.

he encompasses

Replaces "contains" with "encompasses", emphasizing completeness and coverage.

he comprises

Substitutes "contains" with "comprises", focusing on the elements that constitute the whole.

he holds

Replaces "contains" with "holds", suggesting possession or retention of something.

he possesses

Substitutes "contains" with "possesses", highlighting ownership or control.

he exhibits

Replaces "contains" with "exhibits", focusing on the demonstration of qualities.

he incorporates

Substitutes "contains" with "incorporates", emphasizing integration and inclusion.

he is filled with

Replaces "contains" with "is filled with", focusing on abundance or saturation.

he is representative of

Substitutes "contains" with "is representative of", highlighting the act of symbolizing something else.

FAQs

How can I use "he contains" in a sentence?

Use "he contains" to indicate that someone or something embodies or includes a variety of qualities, characteristics, or elements. For example, "He contains within him the potential for both great good and great evil".

What is a good alternative to "he contains"?

Alternatives to "he contains" include "he includes", "he embodies", or "he encompasses", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "he contains multitudes"?

Yes, "he contains multitudes" is a well-known phrase popularized by Walt Whitman, meaning that the person embodies a diverse range of characteristics and experiences.

What's the difference between "he contains" and "he possesses"?

"He contains" suggests that something is an integral part of someone or something, while "he possesses" implies ownership or control. For example, "he contains a deep understanding of the subject" versus "he possesses valuable artifacts".