"Were contained in" is a phrase used to express the idea that something, usually information or elements, is enclosed, confined, or restricted within a particular space, entity, document, or object.
The term "were" indicates the past tense form of the verb "to be," which implies that the action of containment happened in the past. "Contained" is the past participle form of the verb "to contain," indicating the act of enclosing or limiting something. In this context, "contained" suggests that the subject matter or components were found or existed within a designated container, system, or environment.
The preposition "in" clarifies the location or context in which the containment occurred, highlighting that the subject matter was present within a specific entity or context.
For example, "The details of the investigation were contained in a confidential report." This sentence specifies that the information regarding the investigation was restricted or confined within a private document.
In summary, the term "were contained in" signifies that specific elements or information were enclosed or limited to a particular space, object, document, or system, implying an action of confinement or restriction in the past.
