which contains

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which contains" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to an object that holds or has something inside. For example, "The cupboard which contains the plates is in the kitchen."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That outlaws it in two counties, Clark, which contains Las Vegas, and Washoe, which contains Reno.

The New York Times

Examples are water, which contains H2O molecules; methane, which contains CH4 molecules; and hydrogen fluoride, which contains HF molecules.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Simply buy Saturday's paper, which contains all the details.

The Guardian - Music

The buildings even recycle wastewater, which contains valuable heat.

The Guardian

On its Web site, which contains a lengthy F.A.Q.

The New Yorker

It is a hydrofluorocarbon, which contains no chlorine.

The New York Times

She represents the City ward, which contains the university.

The Guardian

Ayahuasca is a natural psychedelic brew, which contains dimethyltryptamine (DMT).

Nature

The sequence is a hexamer, which contains a serine residue.

Nature

They comprise the family Gonostomatidae, which contains over 30 species.

Britannica

Basanite grades into tephrite, which contains no olivine.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "which contains" to clearly indicate that something is a component or part of a larger entity. For improved readability, ensure the clause introduced by "which" is set off by commas unless it is restrictive (essential to the meaning of the sentence).

Common error

Avoid using "that contains" when "which contains" is more appropriate. "Which" introduces nonrestrictive clauses (adding extra information), while "that" introduces restrictive clauses (essential information). If the information is not essential, use "which" with commas.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which contains" functions as a relative clause, modifying a noun or noun phrase by providing additional information about it. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used. The relative pronoun "which" introduces the clause, and "contains" indicates that the modified noun includes or possesses something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

27%

News & Media

21%

Encyclopedias

14%

Less common in

Academia

12%

Wiki

11%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "which contains" is a grammatically sound and frequently used relative clause that serves to provide additional information about a noun by specifying its components or contents. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and wide applicability. Its usage spans various contexts, from scientific literature to news articles, and even informal wikis, demonstrating its versatility. The main consideration when using "which contains" is to ensure that the "which" clause is correctly punctuated with commas when nonrestrictive, distinguishing it from "that contains", which introduces essential information.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that includes

Emphasizes the inclusion of elements within a larger set or entity.

that comprises

Highlights the components that make up the whole.

that encompasses

Suggests a broader scope of inclusion, covering all aspects.

that consists of

Focuses on the constituent parts that form the entity.

that holds

Emphasizes the physical or abstract containment of something.

that features

Highlights specific characteristics or attributes included.

that incorporates

Focuses on the act of integrating elements into a whole.

that integrates

Highlights the combination of different elements.

that is composed of

Similar to "that consists of" but may imply a more structured composition.

that embodies

Implies that something is a tangible or visible form of an idea or quality.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "which contains" in a sentence?

You can replace "which contains" with alternatives like "that includes", "that comprises", or "that encompasses" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey. See also "that includes".

Is it always necessary to use a comma before "which contains"?

Yes, usually. When "which contains" introduces a nonrestrictive clause (a clause that adds extra, non-essential information), it should be preceded by a comma. However, if the clause is restrictive (essential to the meaning of the sentence), no comma is needed before "that contains".

What's the difference between "which contains" and "that contains"?

"Which" introduces nonrestrictive clauses, while "that" introduces restrictive clauses. A nonrestrictive clause adds extra information and is set off by commas, while a restrictive clause is essential to the meaning of the sentence and is not set off by commas. An example for restrictive could be like: 'The box that contains the jewels is locked'.

Can I use "which contains" in formal writing?

Yes, "which contains" is perfectly acceptable in formal writing. It's a grammatically correct and clear way to indicate that something is a component or part of a larger entity. For more formal alternative, you can use "that comprises".