we contained

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we contained" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of holding or restricting something within certain limits or boundaries, often in a context related to managing a situation or controlling an issue. Example: "During the crisis, we contained the spread of misinformation by implementing strict communication protocols."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

"We had a gameplan, we couldn't be too ambitious and we contained them.

The Guardian - Sport

"Just playing defensively as a team... we contained him," Hart said.

The Guardian - Sport

We contained them reasonably well in most situations but we struggled to take wickets".

Independent

I thought we contained him reasonably well but later in the game he became an issue for us".

The Guardian - Sport

Again, it was an emotional roller coaster but we contained emotions and we came out on top".

The New York Times

That is not how we contained the Soviet Union — or Cuba, or North Korea or even Iran in the decades since the 1979 revolution.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

We contain multitudes".

The New York Times - Arts

We contain multitudes, literally.

The New Yorker

Do we contain it?

The New York Times

Are we containing the clean-up?

The Guardian - Business

We have in common the understanding that we contain multitudes.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we contained" when you want to emphasize the action of limiting or restricting something, often in a defensive or strategic context. For example, "We contained the fire" suggests successfully preventing it from spreading.

Common error

Avoid using "we contained" when a simpler verb like "managed" or "controlled" would be more appropriate. Overusing "contained" can make your writing sound overly formal or technical in everyday situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we contained" primarily functions as a verb phrase, where "we" is the subject and "contained" is the main verb in the past tense. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Examples from Ludwig show its use in various contexts, such as containing a fire or an opponent in a game.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we contained" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe limiting or controlling something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It appears most frequently in news and media sources, with applications in science and formal business contexts as well. Alternative phrases include "we controlled" or "we managed". When using "we contained", be sure the context involves limiting or restricting something strategically to avoid overuse in simpler situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we controlled

Focuses on exerting power or influence to direct something's behavior or course.

we kept under control

Highlights maintaining command to prevent a situation from spiraling out of control.

we restrained

Emphasizes holding back or limiting something's freedom or movement.

we curbed

Suggests reducing or checking something undesirable.

we restricted

Implies setting limits or boundaries to confine something.

we suppressed

Highlights preventing something from developing or being expressed.

we managed

Focuses on successfully handling or dealing with something.

we confined

Focuses on keeping something within a specific area or set of limits.

we held back

Indicates limiting progress or preventing full expression.

we kept in check

Implies maintaining control to prevent something from becoming excessive or problematic.

FAQs

How can I use "we contained" in a sentence?

Use "we contained" to describe limiting or controlling something. For example, "We contained the damage" or "We contained the spread of misinformation".

What can I say instead of "we contained"?

Alternatives include "we controlled", "we managed", or "we restricted", depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "we contained"?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize the act of limiting or restricting something to prevent it from escalating or spreading. For instance, "We contained the protest to a small area".

Is there a difference between "we contained" and "we suppressed"?

"We contained" suggests limiting or restricting, while "we suppressed" implies actively preventing something from being expressed or developing. "We contained the fire" means limiting its spread, whereas "we suppressed the rebellion" means actively stopping it.