it just contains

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it just contains" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something includes or holds specific elements or components without any additional implications. Example: "The document is straightforward; it just contains the necessary information for the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Rhinehart is reluctant to associate Soylent with any flavor, so for now it just contains a small amount of sucralose, to mask the taste of the vitamins.

The New Yorker

It's not poisonous, it just contains the biological code to make the bad stuff.

BBC

This has the awkward result that the original theory T is not ontologically committed to males if it just contains '∃x Bachelor(x)', or to animals if it just contains '∃x Elephant(x)'; only T with the postulates added is so committed.

SEP

I haven't read it, though I assume it just contains a list of the trunk dimensions in every car manufactured since 1974. .

Vice

While complicated programs would include numerous functions, this is the simplest program possible and your first program ever so it just contains the main function.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

What made this episode great was the fact that it just contained so much story.

Huffington Post

The Huffington Post's Jay Glatfelter decided that "what made this episode great was the fact that it just contained so much story [with] Jack's flashforward [making] this one of his most interesting 'centric' episodes.

Wikipedia

Yet it is not to blame for America's health mess, and it could just contain the beginnings of a partial solution to it.

The Economist

Equivalently, the volume of a sphere is shown to be two-thirds that of the cylinder which just contains it (that is, having height and diameter equal to the diameter of the sphere), while its surface is also equal to two-thirds that of the same cylinder (that is, if the circles that enclose the cylinder at top and bottom are included).

Encyclopedia Britannica

The red is almost impenetrable, crawling across the vastness of BlainSouthern's Berlin gallery walls, crosshatching and blending with the white cube that only just contains it.

Vice

The article attributed to one plaintiff, Judge Darlene Whitten of Denton County Court, who was the judge in the actual incident, the quotation, "Any implication of violence in a school situation, even if it was just contained in a first-grader's book report, is reason enough for panic and overreaction".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it just contains" to clearly and directly state the specific components or elements included in something, avoiding ambiguity. For example, "The recipe is simple; "it just contains" flour, water, and salt."

Common error

Avoid using "it just contains" when the subject has broader implications or complex functions beyond the listed components. For example, instead of saying "The software "it just contains" basic editing tools," acknowledge any advanced features or user benefits.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it just contains" functions as a declarative statement to specify what a subject includes, highlighting its limited scope. It is grammatically correct and serves to inform the reader precisely about the contents, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it just contains" is a grammatically correct and usable expression, as validated by Ludwig. It serves to specify the exact components or elements of a subject, highlighting its composition and emphasizing simplicity or exclusivity. It is most frequently found in News & Media and has a neutral register. While it's a useful phrase, remember to use it when you specifically want to emphasize the limited and exhaustive inclusion of the stated items. Consider alternatives like "it simply includes" or "it exclusively holds" for nuanced contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it simply includes

Indicates straightforward inclusion without additional elements.

it strictly consists of

Implies a rigid and limited composition of specific parts.

it solely comprises

Emphasizes exclusivity, meaning nothing else is included.

it only incorporates

Highlights the selective addition of elements.

it exclusively holds

Highlights that the subject only holds these specific components and nothing more.

it merely encompasses

Suggests that something includes certain items but is not extensive or complex.

it particularly features

Focuses on specific notable aspects within a larger context.

it primarily embodies

Indicates that the subject mainly represents the specified elements.

it fundamentally carries

Stresses the essential components or characteristics.

it uniquely possesses

Highlights that the subject alone has these specific qualities.

FAQs

How can I use "it just contains" in a sentence?

Use "it just contains" to indicate that something includes or holds specific elements or components without any additional implications. For example: "The document is straightforward; "it just contains" the necessary information for the project."

What phrases are similar to "it just contains"?

You can use alternatives like "it simply includes", "it merely encompasses", or "it exclusively holds" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "it just contains" in formal writing?

Yes, "it just contains" is appropriate for formal writing when you want to provide a clear and concise description of the contents or components of something. However, ensure that the tone aligns with the overall formality of the document.

What is the difference between "it just contains" and "it includes"?

While both phrases indicate that something has certain elements, "it just contains" implies a limited and exhaustive inclusion, whereas "it includes" suggests that there may be other unmentioned elements. Therefore, the phrase "it just contains" is more restrictive than the phrase "it includes".