they contain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they contain" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something includes or holds certain elements or components. Example: "The documents are important because they contain vital information about the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They contain their opposites.

The New Yorker

They contain no news.

The New York Times

They contain material objects.

The New York Times - Arts

They contain love.

The Guardian - Arts

They contain clues.

The Guardian - Opinion

Sometimes they contain prohibited substances.

The Guardian - Opinion

What information will they contain?

The Economist

They contain only warm water.

The Guardian

They contain a deeper madness.

The Guardian - Books

They contain much that's difficult.

The Guardian - Books

They contain several measures of financial literacy.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they contain" when you want to emphasize the presence of specific elements or components within something, ensuring that the focus remains on what is included rather than on the container itself.

Common error

Avoid using "they contain" in excessively passive constructions where the subject performing the containing action is unclear. Rephrasing to an active voice often improves clarity and conciseness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they contain" functions as a verb phrase indicating inclusion or possession. It asserts that a subject (plural) encompasses or holds specific elements, qualities, or information. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

27%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they contain" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate that a plural subject includes or possesses certain elements, information, or qualities. As Ludwig AI confirms, its widespread applicability is evident across diverse contexts, including news, scientific literature, and encyclopedic entries. While its usage is generally straightforward, careful attention to context ensures optimal clarity and conciseness. The most frequent contexts where the expression is used are "News & Media", "Science" and "Wiki". Always be mindful of the active voice and avoid overuse in passive constructions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they include

Emphasizes the act of adding or comprising something within a larger set.

they hold

Focuses on the capacity to keep or possess something physically or abstractly.

they encompass

Suggests a comprehensive inclusion of all aspects or elements.

they incorporate

Highlights the process of integrating or combining different components.

they comprise

Indicates that something is made up of specific parts or elements.

they consist of

Specifies the components or ingredients that make up a whole.

they embody

Implies the representation or expression of an idea or quality.

they feature

Draws attention to prominent or notable characteristics.

they possess

Highlights the ownership or control of a quality or attribute.

they are filled with

Emphasizes abundance or saturation with a particular element.

FAQs

How can I use "they contain" in a sentence?

You can use "they contain" to describe the contents of something, for example, "These boxes "they contain" valuable artifacts" or "The files "they contain" sensitive data".

What are some alternatives to "they contain"?

Alternatives to "they contain" include "they include", "they hold", or "they encompass" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "it contains" instead of "they contain"?

Yes, "it contains" is correct when referring to a singular noun, while "they contain" is used for plural nouns. For instance, "The book contains useful information," but "The books "they contain" different perspectives."

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

"They include" suggests listing a selection of items, while "they contain" implies holding all the items within. For example, "The presentation will include a few slides on marketing" indicates a selection, but "The package "they contain" all necessary documents" implies the complete set.