it was contained within

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was contained within" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is enclosed or included inside a particular space or context. Example: "The secret was so well-guarded that it was contained within the walls of the ancient castle."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

It was contained within an instruction to set up the incentives and earned privileges scheme last November.

The Guardian - Opinion

The new virus became known as SARS, and it was contained within the year, with most cases occurring in China.

The New York Times

Fuelled by the veterans and ideas of the conflict in Afghanistan, repression of "moderate" Islamists, and by economic strains, it was contained within the Islamic world.

The Guardian

If you go back five or seven years, IT was contained within four walls.

Forbes

It was contained within the retention basin and did not enter any waterways, officials said.

Los Angeles Times

The controversy rests on the disputed origins of the white variation: whether it was contained within the genes of the originally recognized breed, or whether it was the result of subsequent modifications.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

It is contained within the electorate of agriculture minister and deputy Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce.

The Guardian

Wood revealed a unique knack of conveying Stoppard's cleverness as though it were contained within his own.

The Guardian

It is contained within a bill, called the repeal amendment, that was introduced in Congress after the election.

The New York Times

It is contained within a long legato phrase, 'où se devine la présence,' and Vezzani, like most tenors, takes a breath before 'la présence' in order to be able to negotiate that high C.

The New Yorker

As the title suggests, half the air in the gallery this piece occupies has been altered by the artist: It is contained within bright blue balloons, which fill the space wall to wall to a height of about eight feet.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was contained within" to clearly indicate that something was strictly limited within a specific space, boundary, or context.

Common error

While grammatically correct, excessive passive voice can make writing sound indirect. Consider active constructions where appropriate for more directness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was contained within" functions as a descriptive element, specifying the location or boundaries of a subject. As Ludwig AI shows, the phrase is used to indicate enclosure, restriction, or inclusion within a defined space or context.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was contained within" is a grammatically sound and usable expression, generally employed to signify that something is enclosed or limited by a specific space or context. Ludwig AI analysis shows that it is most frequently used in News & Media and Science contexts, indicating a neutral to formal register. While correct, writers should be mindful of potential overuse of the passive voice and consider active alternatives for more direct writing. Alternatives include "it was included in" and "it was limited to", depending on the intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was included in

Focuses on inclusion as a component part, slightly less about physical boundaries.

it was enclosed by

Emphasizes the surrounding nature of the containing element.

it was limited to

Highlights restriction and scope, less about physical containment.

it was confined to

Stresses restriction to a particular area or set of conditions.

it was surrounded by

Highlights the environment around the subject, more about adjacency than strict inclusion.

it was housed within

Emphasizes sheltering and protection provided by the container.

it was situated inside

Indicates location within something, more descriptive.

it was kept within

Implies an active effort to maintain confinement or restriction.

it resided within

Conveys a sense of permanent or long-term location inside something.

it was subsumed under

Suggests a categorization or hierarchical relationship, less literal containment.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "it was contained within" to sound more active?

You could use phrases like "it included", "it encompassed", or "it comprised" to shift the focus to the subject rather than the object.

What does "it was contained within" imply about boundaries?

It suggests clear and often strict limits, emphasizing that something did not extend beyond a defined space or context.

In what situations is "it was contained within" most appropriate?

It's suitable when describing physical spaces, abstract limits, or definable sets of conditions, particularly when emphasizing restriction or confinement.

Is there a more formal alternative to "it was contained within"?

Alternatives like "it was circumscribed by" or "it was delimited by" offer a more formal tone, suitable for academic or technical writing.