we have contained

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we have contained" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has been controlled or limited, often in contexts related to issues like outbreaks, problems, or situations. Example: "The authorities have confirmed that we have contained the spread of the virus within the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

"While we have contained the rivalries in the past, it seems that N.I.F. is too big a pot to ignore".

The New York Times

We have contained Iraq for more than 10 years; why should we now believe that our great military power will not continue to contain Iraq?

The New York Times

The way we have contained Saddam for the last 12 years has been very successful - indeed the inspectors cannot find any weapons of mass destruction.

The Guardian

"So far we have contained the impact well despite the very high number of migrants," Cono Galipo, who runs the refugee holding center on Lampedusa, told Reuters.

The New York Times

But he believes "we have contained the crisis".The governor sometimes compares the role of financial regulators to the traffic police.

The Economist

The track record suggests that the United States can continue to contain Saddam Hussein without war, just as we deterred the Soviets during the Cold War and just as we have contained North Korea for half a century.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

The evaluation module EVMC6678 that we have contains 512 Mbytes of DDR3 RAM [32].

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

"We've contained the case and it's all going to be hunky dory.

The Guardian

"I can only assume the list we had contained an error," Mr. Leyland said.

The New York Times

We've got it here, we've contained it and it's not going anywhere until we're sure what the best option is.

The Guardian

"The tests we take only test for Aids," says Chloe. "We've contained Aids in the industry but what about all the others?

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we have contained" to indicate a successful effort in limiting the impact or spread of something negative, such as a virus, a crisis, or a risk.

Common error

Avoid using "we have contained" when referring to situations that are inherently irreversible or have already caused significant, uncontainable damage. For instance, it would be inappropriate to say "we have contained the environmental damage after the oil spill" if the damage is widespread and ongoing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we have contained" primarily functions as a declarative statement, indicating that a group or entity has successfully limited or controlled something. As noted by Ludwig, this is a correct and usable phrase in English. It implies a successful action taken to manage or restrict something within a defined scope.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we have contained" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express that a group or entity has successfully limited or controlled something, such as a crisis or threat. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in English. It is most commonly found in news reports, scientific publications, and formal business communications. When using the phrase, ensure that the context accurately reflects a situation where control has been successfully established and maintained. Alternative phrases like "we have controlled" or "we have managed" can be used to convey similar meanings depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we have controlled

Replaces "contained" with a synonym emphasizing direct management or authority.

we have managed

Indicates successful handling of a situation or problem, similar to containing it.

we have limited

Focuses on restricting or setting boundaries, similar to containing spread or impact.

we have restrained

Emphasizes holding something back or preventing its full expression or impact.

we have suppressed

Implies actively preventing something from developing or being expressed.

we have checked

Suggests halting or slowing down the progress of something.

we have curbed

Similar to limiting, but often used for undesirable activities or trends.

we have held in check

Emphasizes keeping something under control and preventing it from escalating.

we have kept under control

Directly states the act of maintaining control over something.

we have brought under control

Implies an action that successfully gained control after a period of lack thereof.

FAQs

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

Use "we have contained" to express that something, typically a negative situation like a virus outbreak or a security breach, has been successfully controlled or limited in scope. For example: "We have contained the spread of misinformation through social media campaigns".

What are some alternatives to "we have contained"?

Alternatives include phrases like "we have controlled", "we have managed", or "we have limited", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "we have contained the situation"?

Yes, "we have contained the situation" is grammatically correct and commonly used to indicate that a problematic or potentially escalating event has been brought under control and is no longer spreading or worsening.

What does "we have contained" imply about the current state of something?

It implies that an effort was made to limit something (often negative), and that this effort has been successful in keeping the situation under control. It suggests that the situation is not escalating and is being managed effectively.