was contained

USAGE SUMMARY

"was contained" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to talk about something that was previously held in a certain place or state, for example: "The secret recipe was contained in the old recipe book."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The breakaway was contained.

The Economist

"It was contained," Kristol explained.

The New Yorker

Fortunately, the cancer was contained and extractable.

The New Yorker

Each cage was contained in another.

The Economist

Delamination was contained but not completely prevented.

Composite Structures

Everything was contained inside a plastic wall box for safety.

Cornell University

The seasons were fixed and the sea was contained.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Everything he owns was contained in two dirty cardboard boxes.

The New York Times

The plaza was "contained" at around 5.30am, city officials said.

The Guardian

Only 10percentt of the fire was contained.

The New York Times

Police said Sunday afternoon that the situation was contained.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was contained", ensure that the subject and object are logically related. For instance, "the fire was contained" implies the fire's spread was limited.

Common error

Avoid using "was contained" when the context requires a different tense. For example, if the containment is ongoing, use "is being contained" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was contained" functions as a passive verb construction. It indicates that the subject of the sentence underwent an action of being held or limited. Ludwig AI confirms this as a standard and correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

33%

Academia

23%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was contained" is a versatile phrase used to describe something being restricted or limited. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and frequently appears in news, scientific, and academic writing. The phrase implies successful control or limitation, whether it's a fire, spill, or information. When writing, ensure logical subject-object relationships and use appropriate tenses. Consider alternatives like "was limited to" or "was confined to" for nuanced meaning. While it is deemed suitable for various contexts, "was contained" shows a higher occurrence in neutral source types, such as news articles, compared to more informal communications. Therefore, it is essential to ensure tense accuracy and contextual relevance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was held within

Emphasizes the physical holding or keeping inside something.

was included

Focuses on the inclusion aspect rather than the physical limitation or restraint.

was kept inside

Simple and direct way of expressing containment within a physical space.

was confined to

Highlights the restriction to a particular space or area.

was limited to

Emphasizes the restriction aspect, suggesting a specific boundary or scope.

was enclosed

Stresses the act of being surrounded or closed off.

was restrained

Emphasizes the control or prevention of spreading.

was comprised of

Highlights the composition or makeup of something.

was composed of

Focuses on the elements that constitute the whole.

was subsumed within

Suggests the process of being integrated or absorbed into something larger.

FAQs

How is "was contained" used in a sentence?

The phrase "was contained" is used to describe something that was limited, restricted, or held within a specific area or boundary. For example, "The spill "was contained" within the berm."

What are some alternatives to "was contained"?

You can use alternatives such as "was limited to", "was confined to", or "was enclosed" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "the problem was contained"?

Yes, it is correct to say "the problem was contained" if you mean that the problem was successfully controlled and prevented from spreading or escalating. For example, "The situation "was contained" a short time later."

What's the difference between "was contained" and "was included"?

"Was contained" implies a restriction or limitation within a specific boundary, while "was included" simply means that something was part of a larger whole. "The fire "was contained" to the garages" vs "The data was included in the report".