Comprised of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Comprised of" is often considered incorrect in formal written English.
It is typically used to describe the components or elements that make up a whole. Example: "The committee is comprised of experts from various fields."

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Comprised of two people, a king, and a queen.

Huffington Post

* Not comprised of.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"GE's is comprised of individual pieces.

The Economist

The thigh is comprised of what?

The New York Times - Sports

Your audience is comprised of people, right?

The New Yorker

The previous coalition government was comprised of 18 parties.

The New York Times

The kitchen is comprised of a bank of three toasters.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The Army could easily be comprised of 5% women.

The New Yorker

The etymology of the word does not support "comprised of".

The Guardian - Opinion

Each is comprised of complex combinations of individual beats.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

It's [comprised of] much smaller groups," St-Pierre said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When possible, rephrase the sentence to use "comprise" without "of". For example, instead of "The team is comprised of experts", write "The team comprises experts".

Common error

Avoid using "comprised of" when "comprises" alone is correct. "Comprise" means 'to consist of', so the 'of' is often redundant and grammatically frowned upon. Remember, the whole comprises the parts, the parts do not 'comprise of' the whole.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "comprised of" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate what elements or components constitute it. It specifies the composition or makeup of something, as illustrated by Ludwig's examples, where various entities are described in terms of their constituent parts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "comprised of" is a common phrase used to describe the composition of something. While generally acceptable, it's worth noting that some grammar authorities suggest using "composed of" as a more formal and grammatically sound alternative. Ludwig's examples demonstrate the phrase's broad usage across news, science, and business contexts. Be mindful of potential confusion with "comprises" and consider rephrasing for clarity when possible. The Ludwig AI also highlights the ongoing discussion surrounding the grammatical correctness of "comprised of", suggesting a balanced approach to its usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

composed of

This is a direct synonym, often considered more grammatically correct by some.

made up of

This phrase is more informal but carries the same essential meaning.

consisting of

This alternative emphasizes the elements that constitute the whole.

constituted of

Similar in meaning to "composed of", but may sound more formal or technical.

containing

Focuses on the inclusion of elements within something.

formed of

Emphasizes the process of creation or assembly from different parts.

including

Highlights that some elements are part of a larger group, but may not encompass all elements.

encompassing

Suggests a broader inclusion of elements or aspects.

built from

Implies a structured assembly or construction using specific components.

incorporating

Suggests the integration of various components into a unified whole.

FAQs

How can I use "comprised of" in a sentence?

Use "comprised of" to indicate what elements make up a whole. For instance, "The committee is comprised of experts from various fields." However, be aware that some consider "composed of" a more grammatically sound alternative.

What's a more formal alternative to "comprised of"?

A more formal alternative is "composed of". It carries the same meaning but is often preferred in academic or professional contexts.

Is it incorrect to use "comprised of"?

While widely used, "comprised of" is sometimes considered less correct than "composed of". Some grammar guides suggest using "comprise" without "of", or opting for "made up of" in informal contexts.

What's the difference between "comprised of" and "comprises"?

"Comprises" means 'consists of' or 'includes', while "comprised of" means 'is made up of'. Therefore, use "comprises" to indicate what a whole contains, and "comprised of" to describe the elements forming the whole, although this latter usage is sometimes disputed. For example, "The team comprises five members" versus "The team is comprised of five members" (though the latter is often replaced with "composed of".)