to be contained

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be contained" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to something that is held within certain limits or boundaries, whether physical or abstract. Example: "The information must be contained within the designated sections of the report."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We're defined by our environment — everything has to be contained and self-contained," he said.

The New York Times

But the voodoo used to be contained.

The New York Times

How are costs to be contained?

The New York Times

Only two of the fires were said to be contained.

The New York Times

Still, they had to be contained behind rings of sandbags.

The New Yorker

For that to happen, the military needs to be contained.

The New Yorker

Two large ones also had yet to be contained.

The New York Times

Policing, often involving sniffer dogs, needs to be contained.

The Guardian - Opinion

And trash seems to be contained to garbage cans.

The New York Times

The scandal seems unlikely to be contained in Britain.

The Guardian - Opinion

Europe's revolt against austerity has to be contained.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to be contained", ensure the context clearly indicates what is doing the containing and what is being contained. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the sentence's clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "to be contained" in situations where a more appropriate verb like 'included' or 'addressed' would better convey the intended meaning, especially in abstract discussions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be contained" functions primarily as a verb phrase in the passive voice. It indicates that the subject is the recipient of the action of containing, implying a state of being limited or kept within certain boundaries. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

27%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to be contained" is a versatile and frequently used verb phrase that denotes the action of being limited or restricted within specific boundaries. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It commonly appears in neutral contexts, particularly in News & Media and Scientific publications. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by explicitly specifying what is containing and what is being contained to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "to be included", "to be restricted", and "to be enclosed" can offer nuanced variations in meaning depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be included

Focuses on the aspect of being part of something, rather than necessarily limited by it.

to be enclosed

Implies physical boundaries or barriers, suitable when the containment is literal.

to be restrained

Suggests a force or influence preventing expansion or movement.

to be controlled

Emphasizes the act of managing or directing something to prevent it from exceeding limits.

to be restricted

Highlights limitations and boundaries placed upon something.

to be limited

Focuses on setting an upper bound or maximum.

to be held

Implies a temporary state of confinement or retention.

to be encompassed

Suggests being completely surrounded or included within a defined area.

to be suppressed

Indicates an active effort to prevent expression or manifestation.

to be managed

Focuses on skillful handling and direction, often in a business or organizational context.

FAQs

How can I use "to be contained" in a sentence?

Use "to be contained" when referring to something that is kept within specific limits or boundaries. For example, "The fire needs "to be contained" to prevent it from spreading".

What's the difference between "to be contained" and "to be included"?

"To be contained" implies restriction within boundaries, while "to be included" means being part of something. For example, information can be contained within a report or included in a report, but the meanings are subtly different.

Which is a better fit, ""to be contained"" or "to be controlled"?

"To be controlled" implies active management, while ""to be contained"" suggests a more passive limitation. Choose "to be controlled" when something requires ongoing management.

What can I say instead of ""to be contained""?

You can use alternatives like "to be restricted", "to be limited", or "to be enclosed" depending on the specific context.