How to use "Included are"

What Does "Included are" Mean?

  • Meaning of the collocation or phrasal verb

"Included are" is a phrase used to introduce a list of items or elements that are part of a larger set or category. It indicates that the items following the phrase are encompassed within something previously mentioned or understood.

  • Whether meaning is compositional or semi-idiomatic

The meaning is compositional. "Included" functions as a past participle adjective describing what is contained, and "are" is the verb to be, linking the description to the items being listed.

  • Register: formal / informal / neutral

The register is generally considered formal or neutral. It is more common in written language, especially in reports, academic papers, and formal announcements, than in casual conversation.

How to Use It

  • Grammatical pattern: verb + noun, verb + particle, adjective + noun, etc.

The grammatical pattern is adjective + verb + noun. "Included" functions as a past participle adjective, "are" is the verb, and the items being listed are the nouns.

  • Typical objects, complements, or prepositions that follow

Typically, a list of nouns or noun phrases follows "Included are." No prepositions directly follow the phrase.

  • Can the components be separated? (for phrasal verbs)

No, the components cannot be separated. The phrase maintains its meaning and grammatical correctness when used together as "Included are + list of items."

  • What sounds unnatural: wrong verb, wrong preposition, wrong object

Using a different verb (e.g., "Including are") or adding an unnecessary preposition would sound unnatural. Incorrect word order (e.g., "Are included...") also leads to awkward phrasing in most contexts where "Included are" is typically used.

Real-World Examples

These examples are sourced from Included are on Ludwig.guru.

"Included are large swathes of Sicilian countryside." — The New York Times

"Included are landscapes, architectural studies and portraits." — The New York Times - Arts

"Included are electrical, dynamic, and mechanical tests." — Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"Included are concert programs and correspondence." — Johns Hopkins University

"Also included are three soundtracks." — The New York Times

Examples sourced from https://ludwig.guru/s/Included+are

Similar Phrases and Alternatives

Depending on the level of formality or the specific situation, you might want to vary your language.

Phrase Context
are included More common and often less formal word order.
are comprised of Indicates that the listed items make up the whole. More formal.
are composed of Similar to "are comprised of", suggesting parts forming a whole.
are among Suggests a selection from a larger, unlisted group.
are part of Simple and direct way to indicate inclusion.
consist of Indicates what something is made up of; less inverted.
feature Used to highlight specific elements; often used in marketing.

Common Mistakes

  • 2–3 errors: wrong particle/preposition, wrong verb choice, separability errors, wrong register

Learners often mistakenly use "including" instead of "included" when intending to describe something that is already part of a larger set, or they might confuse the word order with "are included". Using the present participle form of the verb, "including", creates a different meaning, often functioning as a preposition or part of a continuous verb phrase. The word order "are included" is grammatically correct, but it changes the emphasis and flow compared to using "Included are" for introducing a list.

Quick-Reference Summary

Expression Meaning Grammatical Pattern Register
Included are Introduces a list of items that are part of a larger group. Adjective + Verb + Noun Formal/Neutral

FAQs

Can the words in "Included are" be separated, or do they always stay together?

The phrase "Included are" typically stays together to maintain its specific meaning and grammatical structure when introducing a list. While "are included" is also grammatically correct, it serves a different function and doesn't introduce a list in the same way.


How is "Included are" different from "Are included"?

"Included are" is used to introduce a list of items, emphasizing that these items are part of a larger group. "Are included," on the other hand, is a more standard sentence structure used to state that something is part of a group, without necessarily introducing a list. The choice depends on the desired emphasis and sentence flow.


What's the difference between using "included" and "including" in a similar context?

Using "included" correctly means that the items being mentioned are already part of a defined set. Using "including" suggests adding items to a list that may not be fully defined or closed. For example, "The price included taxes" (taxes are part of the price) versus "The price is high, including taxes" (taxes are being mentioned as an example of why the price is high).

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