What is contain? Pronunciation and usage in English

contain means . Learn how to pronounce and use contain through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of contain

containverb

/kənˈteɪn/
Definition & pronunciation of contain

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "contain" in English. It's a trickier one than it looks! Here's a breakdown:

The most common and accepted pronunciation is:

  • /kənˈteɪn/ (This is the one you'll hear most often)

Let's break that down syllable by syllable:

  • con: Pronounced like "con" as in "connect". It's a short, quick sound.
  • tain: This is the tricky part. It's pronounced with a "long a" sound, similar to the "a" in "say" or "day." The "t" is a regular "t" sound.

Putting it together:

Think of it as: con-TAIN (with emphasis on the second syllable – "TAIN").

Here's a more detailed breakdown with mouth movements (this is hard to convey in text, but helpful):

  • "con": Your tongue should be low in your mouth, rounding your lips slightly.
  • "tain": Raise your tongue to the "long a" position (like in "say"). Your lips should be relaxed and neutral.

Resources to help you hear it:

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

  • Short "a" sound: Don't say "con-ain" like "again." This is a very common mistake!
  • Overly stressed first syllable: While "con" is the start, the emphasis really lands on the second syllable.

Would you like me to:

  • Repeat the pronunciation slowly?
  • Give you some example sentences to practice with?

Usage and examples with the word contain in English

Let's break down how to use the word "contain" in English. It's a versatile word with several different meanings and uses. Here's a breakdown, categorized for clarity:

1. To Hold or Include (Most Common Meaning)

  • Definition: To have something inside; to hold or enclose.
  • Examples:
    • "The box contains twelve apples." (It has twelve apples inside of it.)
    • "The report contains a detailed analysis." (The report includes a detailed analysis.)
    • "The glass bottle contains water." (The bottle holds water.)
    • "My backpack contains a book, a notebook, and a pen." (It includes these items.)

2. To Control or Restrain (Emotion, Behavior)

  • Definition: To keep something under control; to prevent it from spreading.
  • Examples:
    • "He struggled to contain his laughter." (He tried to hold back his laughter.)
    • "The police tried to contain the crowd." (They attempted to control the crowd's movement.)
    • "The government is trying to contain the spread of the disease." (They are aiming to prevent it from spreading further.)
    • "She couldn't contain her excitement about the news." (She couldn't stop her excitement.)

3. To Include as an Element (More Formal)

  • Definition: To be an integral part of something, or to be a component.
  • Examples:
    • "The curriculum contains a module on climate change." (Climate change is part of the curriculum.)
    • “The recipe contains several different spices.” (The recipe includes these spices.)
    • "The solution contains several key ingredients." (The solution is made up of these ingredients.)

4. To Include as a Subject (Often in discussions or narratives)

  • Definition: To address or consider something as part of a broader topic.
  • Examples:
    • "The book contains a fascinating exploration of ancient civilizations." (The book covers this topic.)
    • "The debate contained arguments on both sides." (The debate included these arguments.)

5. "Containment" (as a Noun – a specific concept)

  • Definition: This is a specific term with a particular meaning, most often relating to geographic strategy: The act of limiting the spread of something harmful (like a disease, an invasion, or a situation).
  • Examples:
    • "The government’s strategy focused on containment of the refugee crisis."
    • "The virus spread rapidly, highlighting the need for better containment measures."

Key Considerations & Tips:

  • Context is Crucial: The meaning of "contain" depends heavily on the context. Pay attention to the surrounding words to understand exactly what the sentence is saying.
  • Synonyms: Consider synonyms to help you vary your language: hold, include, enclose, restrain, limit, integrate, encompass
  • Phrasal Verbs: “Contain” is frequently used with phrasal verbs:
    • Contain out: To suppress or hold back emotions (e.g., "She tried to contain out her anger.")
    • Contain up: To hold up or prevent from falling (e.g., "The glue contained up the broken pieces.")

Resources for Further Learning:

To help me give you even more specific advice, could you tell me:

  • What kind of context are you using "contain" in? (e.g., writing a story, giving a presentation, having a conversation)
  • Can you provide an example sentence you're struggling with?

Synonyms for the word contain

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