that contain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that contain" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to items or elements that include or hold something within them. Example: "The box that contain the old photographs is stored in the attic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A. Smurfit continues to manufacture containers that contain less fiber.

The New York Times

Pages that contain unverified information are highlighted.

Independent

Others automatically reject ballots that contain undervotes.

The Economist

Below, three new products that contain it.

The New York Times

Mulches that contain wood are big favorites.

The New York Times

Consumers buy products that contain such minerals.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is the footnotes that contain the juiciest vignettes.

The New York Times - Books

Those comments that contain such terms are automatically hidden.

The Guardian - Tech

Millions of others take birth control pills that contain estrogen.

The New York Times

We invent idols that contain the contradictions within ourselves.

The New York Times - Magazine

Shred any documents that contain important data.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, ensure that the subject preceding "that contain" clearly identifies what is doing the containing. For example, "Containers that contain liquids should be sealed tightly."

Common error

Avoid using "that contains" when referring to a plural subject. For example, it should be "products that contain chemicals" not "products that contains chemicals".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that contain" functions as a relative clause modifying a noun. It specifies a characteristic or attribute of the noun by indicating what it includes or holds. As shown in Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Wiki

35%

Science

27%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that contain" is a grammatically sound and versatile relative clause used to specify the contents or attributes of a noun. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely accepted in English writing. While the phrase appears most frequently in news, wiki, and scientific contexts, it maintains a neutral register suitable for diverse applications. To ensure correctness, remember to match the verb form to the subject's number and consider alternative phrases like "which include" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

which include

Focuses on listing items included within a larger set, changing from a defining relative clause to a descriptive one.

that encompass

Suggests a more comprehensive inclusion, implying a broader scope than just containing.

that consist of

Emphasizes the components that make up something, shifting the focus to constitution.

that hold

Implies physical holding or capacity, making it suitable for concrete objects.

that comprise

Similar to 'consist of', indicating the elements forming a whole, yet more formal.

that are composed of

Highlights the materials or elements from which something is made.

which have

A more general way to indicate possession or inclusion, less specific than "that contain".

that feature

Highlights specific aspects or characteristics present within something, shifting focus to highlighting specific attribute.

that integrate

Implies a blending or combining of elements, connoting a functional combination.

that embody

Suggests that something expresses or represents an abstract idea or quality.

FAQs

How do I use "that contain" in a sentence?

Use "that contain" to introduce a relative clause specifying what a noun includes or holds. For example, "Avoid products "that contain alcohol"."

What are some alternatives to using "that contain"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "which include", "that encompass", or "that consist of".

Is it ever appropriate to use "that contains" instead of "that contain"?

Use "that contains" when the antecedent is singular. For example, "The product "that contains alcohol" should be avoided."

What is the difference between "that include" and "that contain"?

"That include" is generally used to list items that are part of a larger set, while "that contain" implies holding something within. Both phrases are often interchangeable but "that contain" gives more of an indication of one element being inside of another.