space to contain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "space to contain" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to an area or capacity that is available for holding or accommodating something. Example: "We need to create a larger space to contain all the new equipment we have purchased."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Similarly, Claudia DeMonte uses a cagelike space to contain "The Queen's Dream," a meditation on escaping the physical and emotional confines of personal history.

The New York Times

America, vast and laid out from one ocean to another, is not a large enough space to contain the war each soldier brings home.

The New Yorker

As a result, Houston has perhaps the worst urban sprawl in the nation; its borders encompass 617 square miles, enough space to contain Chicago, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Detroit.

The New York Times

Ms. Castillo sought a separate bedroom, a living room large enough for a party and enough closet space to contain her many shoes.

The New York Times

Tom Clark writes: Ed Miliband promised to give Kenneth Clarke the space to contain the prison population, but during the recent row over rape ended up calling for his removal, and David Cameron's government has now – with Labour encouragement – reverted to the bang 'em up orthodoxy.

The Guardian

Ethnography has that space to contain areas in art/design and oral traditions, for they both touch on culture.

Johns Hopkins University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

What if we change the static parameter of the spaces and start building dynamic spaces to contain dynamic sounds?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Spaces That Perform Themselves exposes an innovative response to the current relationship between sound and space: where we build static spaces to contain dynamic sounds.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

A master of studio lighting and expressive set design, Dieterle creates some memorably intricate spaces to contain this otherwise overly familiar material, which finds Charlton Heston (in his Hollywood film debut) as a gambler who cheats a chump (Don DeFore) out of $5,000, only to have the poor sap commit suicide on him.

The New York Times

Histogram bins are uniformly spaced to contain equal ranges of log(_{10}left (F_{L}^{RMS} / F_{C}^{RMS}right)) values.

Progress in Earth and Planetary Science

They aren't saying how their findings will apply to other mass transit systems, but they do hope they can be used to better design public spaces to contain outbreaks.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing physical spaces, quantify the "space to contain" with specific measurements to provide clarity and context for the reader. For example, specify the dimensions of the room or the capacity of the container.

Common error

Avoid using vague language when describing the "space to contain". Be specific about what needs to be contained and the limitations of the space. Vague descriptions can lead to misinterpretations and confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "space to contain" functions as an infinitive phrase, often used to describe the availability or capacity of an area for holding or accommodating something. As Ludwig's AI indicates, it is grammatically correct and conveys the idea of containment.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Academia

30%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "space to contain" is a grammatically sound and usable infinitive phrase that describes the area or capacity available for holding something. Although not frequently used, as confirmed by Ludwig's examples, it appears in diverse contexts such as news, academic papers, and scientific articles. Ludwig AI indicates the expression is suitable for describing containment. Alternative phrases include "area to hold" or "capacity to accommodate", depending on the desired nuance. When using "space to contain", be specific about what needs to be contained and the limitations of the space to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

area to hold

Replaces 'space' with 'area', focusing on the physical dimensions available.

ability to hold

Focuses on the capability rather than the physical space, using 'ability' for 'space' and 'hold' for 'contain'.

capacity to accommodate

Uses 'capacity' instead of 'space' and 'accommodate' instead of 'contain', emphasizing the ability to house or provide for something.

size to accommodate

Focuses on the dimensions, using 'size' instead of 'space' and 'accommodate' for 'contain'.

room to include

Substitutes 'space' with 'room' and 'contain' with 'include', highlighting the ability to add something within.

provision to house

Emphasizes the act of providing shelter or accommodation, replacing 'space' with 'provision' and 'contain' with 'house'.

volume to encompass

Employs 'volume' in place of 'space' and 'encompass' for 'contain', suggesting a three-dimensional enclosure.

extent to cover

Highlights the range or scope of coverage, substituting 'space' with 'extent' and 'contain' with 'cover'.

scope to incorporate

Replaces 'space' with 'scope' and 'contain' with 'incorporate', emphasizing the range or extent available to integrate something.

scope for inclusion

Focuses on the possibility of including something, using 'scope' instead of 'space' and rephrasing 'to contain' as 'for inclusion'.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "space to contain" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases such as "capacity to accommodate", "area available for", or "volume to encompass". These alternatives /s/volume+to+encompass provide a more sophisticated and precise description.

Is there a difference between "space to contain" and "area to hold"?

While similar, "space to contain" generally refers to a three-dimensional volume, whereas "area to hold" often refers to a two-dimensional surface. The best choice depends on the context and whether volume or surface is more relevant.

What are some common contexts where "space to contain" is used?

The phrase "space to contain" is often used when discussing storage, architecture, data structures, or abstract concepts like emotional capacity. Its versatility makes it suitable across various domains.

Can I use "room to include" instead of "space to contain"?

Yes, "room to include" can be a suitable alternative, particularly when discussing adding elements or components within a given scope. However, be mindful that "room" can also imply physical space, so context is crucial.