shape of the container

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "shape of the container" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing how the form or design of a container affects its function or the contents it holds. Example: "The shape of the container is crucial for ensuring that the liquid inside remains stable during transport."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

The change was the shape of the container.

The New Yorker

Her stories are like water: they fit the shape of the container that holds them.

Independent

While a solid material has both a well-defined volume and a well-defined shape, a liquid has a well-defined volume but a shape that depends on the shape of the container.

Encyclopedia Britannica

At ordinary temperatures, for instance, gold is a solid, water is a liquid, and nitrogen is a gas, as defined by certain characteristics: solids hold their shape, liquids take on the shape of the container that holds them, and gases fill an entire container.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Once the container is spinning at the correct speed (typically a few revolutions per minute), the mercury spreads out to form a layer less than a millimetre thick, and in such a way that variations in the thickness of the mercury layer compensate for the imperfect shape of the container.

The Economist

Diarrhea in humans is often defined as an increase in the number and/or the volume of bowel movements per day, or the passage of unformed stools that assume the shape of the container.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

But amending the cup's design is the only way to fix the issue for good, according to Fox. "Until they change the shape of that container, this is going to be an ongoing problem," she said.

Huffington Post

The different shapes of the containers suggest they were used to brew, filter, and store beer they may be ancient "beer-making toolkits," and the earliest direct evidence of beer brewing in China, the researchers report online today in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Science Magazine

There's a doubt, a shadow, a friction between the inner world and the perception or the shape of the exterior container.

The New Yorker

This hypothesis is perhaps supported by the apparent effect of the shape of the assay container on preference at 0-cm as well.

Plosone

Diarrhea was characterized as the following: three or more bowel movements in 24 hours; loose/watery bowel movements that conform to the shape of the specimen container; and there is no other recognized etiology for the diarrhea.

BMC Infectious Diseases

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing liquids or malleable substances, use "shape of the container" to emphasize how they conform to their surroundings.

Common error

Avoid using "shape of the container" when describing solid objects that maintain their form regardless of their environment. Use terms like "structure" or "design" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shape of the container" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often acting as a subject complement or object of a preposition. It describes a characteristic or attribute, as seen in Ludwig examples related to liquids conforming to their containers.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

23%

Wiki

18%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

9%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "shape of the container" is a commonly used noun phrase that effectively describes how a substance conforms to the form of its surrounding vessel. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct and versatile. It appears most frequently in scientific and news contexts, but also finds use in general instructional content. When using this phrase, remember to focus on describing malleable substances, avoiding its application to rigid objects. Alternatives such as "form of the receptacle" can provide a more formal tone, while understanding the design versus resulting shape helps ensure accurate and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

form of the receptacle

Replaces "shape" with a synonym, and "container" with a more formal term.

configuration of the vessel

Uses "configuration" to emphasize arrangement and "vessel" as a substitute for "container".

outline of the holder

Substitutes "shape" with "outline" focusing on the external boundary and "holder" for "container".

design of the receptacle

Focuses on the intentional design rather than the resulting form.

contour of the enclosure

Uses "contour" to highlight the external form and "enclosure" as a substitute.

mold of the casing

Implies the container acts as a mold to define the shape.

appearance of the receptacle

Shifts the focus to the visual aspect of the container's form.

external form of the vessel

Highlights the external nature of the container's shape.

dimensions of the casing

Focuses on the specific measurements and proportions.

profile of the holder

Refers to the silhouette or outline when viewed from the side.

FAQs

How can I use "shape of the container" in a sentence?

You can use "shape of the container" to describe how a liquid or malleable substance conforms to the form of its surrounding vessel. For instance, "The water took the "shape of the container" after it was poured in."

What's a formal alternative to "shape of the container"?

A more formal alternative is "form of the receptacle", suitable for academic or technical contexts.

Is it correct to say "the container's shape" instead of "shape of the container"?

Yes, "the container's shape" is grammatically correct and often interchangeable, but ""shape of the container"" emphasizes the relationship between the container and the form it imparts on its contents.

When should I use "design of the container" instead of "shape of the container"?

Use "design of the container" when referring to the intended structure and features created, whereas ""shape of the container"" focuses on the resulting physical form.