Compose means to form or make up. The parts compose the whole. In its traditional sense, comprise means to consist of. The whole comprises the parts. You can also start with the whole and say it is composed of the parts.
Three ways to describe the same recording kit
A library lends a field recording kit with a recorder, a microphone, and a pair of headphones. You can name the items first to show what they form, or start with the kit to tell a borrower what’s inside.
| Pattern | Example |
|---|---|
| Parts compose whole | A recorder, a microphone, and a pair of headphones compose the kit. |
| Whole comprises parts | The kit comprises a recorder, a microphone, and a pair of headphones. |
| Whole is composed of parts | The kit is composed of a recorder, a microphone, and a pair of headphones. |
When to use of
In standard edited English, put the list directly after comprises. Edit The kit comprises of three items to The kit comprises three items. If you choose consists or is composed, use of before the list. Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary entry for comprise.
If you’re naming a feature and leaving the rest of the contents open, includes works well. The kit includes a microphone answers a borrower’s question about the microphone while leaving the other items unspecified.
Can you write is comprised of?
The kit is comprised of three items uses an established construction that Merriam-Webster records. Its dictionary also records comprise in the sense of make up or constitute, as in Three items comprise the kit. Some editors object to that sense, especially in is comprised of. Merriam-Webster’s entry for comprise.
Follow your publication’s style. The MLA Style Center, for example, recommends is composed of or is made up of in place of is comprised of. With the kit first, The kit comprises three items is another straightforward edit. The MLA Style Center’s guidance on comprise and compose.
Practice choosing compose or comprise
- Use a form of the verb that means consists of. The training program ___ a workshop and two supervised shifts.
- Rewrite the sentence with compose and start with the parts. The collection comprises six essays and a poem.
- Keep comprises and edit the sentence for standard written English. The exhibit comprises of eight photographs.
- Apply MLA’s guidance and keep of in the revision. The trail network is comprised of three loops.
- What does comprise mean here? Four volunteers comprise the repair crew.
- Which verb signals that you’re naming a feature of the course while leaving its other contents open? The course ___ a unit on field interviews. Choose includes or comprises.
Show answers and explanations
- Comprises. The training program is the whole. The workshop and shifts are its parts.
- Six essays and a poem compose the collection. The essays and poem make up the collection, and the plural subject takes compose.
- The exhibit comprises eight photographs. In this pattern, the parts follow comprises directly.
- The trail network is composed of three loops. Is made up of also fits the sentence and follows the MLA Style Center’s guidance.
- Make up or constitute. The four volunteers form the crew. Merriam-Webster records this sense, and make up expresses it plainly if your editor prefers the traditional distinction.
- Includes. This says the unit is part of the course and leaves room for other material.
Related writing guides
- See how a word’s job in a sentence can help you choose its spelling. Affect vs. Effect.
- Find examples of other easily confused pairs. Commonly Confused Words in English.
- Work through more word-choice and sentence edits. Common Grammar Mistakes and How to Fix Them.
