compose, comprise, include
- compose, comprise, include
Each of these words involves the idea of containing, embracing, comprehending, or surrounding as, for example, a whole in reference to its parts.
Compose has the additional meaning of making, or forming, by combining things: "This chemical compound is
composed of five elements."
Comprise suggests including or containing: "This section of the book
comprises ten different subjects." To
include is to contain as a part or member: "The list of names
includes yours and mine." Use
comprise when all parts are named or referred to and
include when only some are."
Comprised of" is a wordy expression. Omit the
of.
See also consist of.
Dictionary of problem words and expressions.
Harry Shaw.
1975.
Look at other dictionaries:
compose / comprise — Compose means to make up and is often used in the passive voice: The class is composed of students of several nationalities. Comprise means have, consist of, or include : The class comprises students of several nationalities. A rule to… … Confused words
compose / comprise — Compose means to make up and is often used in the passive voice: The class is composed of students of several nationalities. Comprise means have, consist of, or include : The class comprises students of several nationalities. A rule to… … Confused words
comprise — verb (not in progressive) formal 1 (linking verb) to consist of particular parts, groups etc: The house comprises 2 bedrooms, a kitchen, and a living room. | be comprised of: The city s population is largely comprised of Asians and Europeans. 2… … Longman dictionary of contemporary English
comprise — See compose. See compose, comprise, include … Dictionary of problem words and expressions
include — See compose. See compose, comprise, include … Dictionary of problem words and expressions
compose — See compose, comprise, include … Dictionary of problem words and expressions
comprise — 1. Comprise is often confused with compose, consist, and constitute. All four words are used to describe how parts make up a whole, but they start from different ends of the equation. Comprise has the whole as its subject and its parts as the… … Modern English usage
comprise — I verb aggregate, amount to, be composed of, be formed of, be made of, consist of, constitute, contain, embody, embrace, encapsulate, encompass, hold, include, incorporate, involve, subsume, total associated concepts: comprising a cause of action … Law dictionary
comprise — I (New American Roget s College Thesaurus) v. t. consist of, involve, embrace, cover, embody; include, comprehend, contain. See inclusion. II (Roget s IV) v. Syn. comprehend, contain, embrace, include, involve, enclose, embody, encircle,… … English dictionary for students
compose — I (New American Roget s College Thesaurus) v. form (see composition); settle, adjust; create, formulate; calm, quiet, relax. See inexcitability, music, writing. II (Roget s IV) v. 1. [To be the parts or the ingredients] Syn. constitute, comprise … English dictionary for students
