Contain vs Include

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

	Contain	Include
Meaning	To hold or keep something inside.	to have something as part of a group or whole
CEFR level	A2	A1
Part of speech	verb	verb
Usage notes	Use 'contain' when discussing physical objects, substances, or abstract concepts like emotions. It's not typically used for non-physical situations.	Use 'include' to specify that something is part of a larger list or group. Avoid using it when talking about things that are not part of that list.

Frequently asked questions: Contain vs Include

What's the difference between "Contain" and "Include"?

"Contain" means: To hold or keep something inside. "Include" means: to have something as part of a group or whole

When should I use "Contain" and "Include"?

They can all be used in everyday English.

Are "Contain" and "Include" the same CEFR level?

"Contain" is at A2, "Include" is at A1 on the CEFR scale.