are being comprised

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are being comprised" is not correct in standard English usage.
The correct form would be "are comprised of" when indicating what something consists of. Example: "The committee is comprised of experts from various fields."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Listen to the more alarmist predictions about what tragedies will soon befall America, then cut back to our saviors: If America faces economic doom, if our foundational freedoms are being comprised by a president so radical that he makes Cynthia McKinney look like a Bircher, these four men, ladies and gentlemen, are our sweater-vested bulwark against tyranny.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

A toolbox of modular genetic parts is being developed, comprised of cell-based environmental sensors and genetic circuits.

Current Opinion in Biotechnology

All language processors can be viewed as being comprised of three elements.

Artificial Intelligence

In many cases, these enzymes are multi-modular, being comprised of distinct catalytic and carbohydrate-binding modules.

Protein Expression and Purification

The validation steps are used to confirm the structural representation is chemically reasonable, being comprised of known atomic elements and with reasonable atomic valence.

Journal of Cheminformatics

Breast cancer is now recognized as being comprised of several distinct diseases.

Breast Cancer Research and Treatment

In many countries, certain ethnic groups are stereotyped as being comprised mostly of illegal immigrants.

WikiHow

The second gala is being held by the International Conservation Caucus Foundation, comprising the goliaths of international and animal wildlife conservation like the Nature Conservancy and the World Wildlife Federation.

The New York Times

This process is being steered by a group comprising clinicians, local members of the public, and experts in procurement and out-of-hours services".

The Guardian

The list's target is chart music, and is comprised entirely of mainstream, radio-friendly hits.

The Guardian - Music

Tropico is an examination of how institutions are inevitably flawed because they're comprised of people.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "are being comprised". Opt for "are comprised of", "are composed of", or "consist of" for grammatically correct and clear writing.

Common error

A common mistake is using the passive form "is comprised of" when the active form "comprises" is more direct and often clearer. Remember that the whole comprises the parts; the parts do not comprise the whole.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are being comprised" functions as a passive construction intended to describe the composition of something. However, as Ludwig AI indicates, this phrasing is grammatically questionable. It attempts to convey that something is made up of certain elements.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

10%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are being comprised" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. It's best to use alternatives such as "are comprised of", "are composed of", or "consist of" for clearer and more accurate writing. While some sources, as shown by Ludwig, use the phrase, it is advisable to avoid it in formal contexts. The intended function of the phrase is to explain the components of something, often in formal or scientific writing, but the incorrect phrasing undermines this purpose. Always opt for grammatically sound alternatives to maintain clarity and credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are composed of

Replaces "being comprised" with a more grammatically sound and common expression of composition.

are made up of

Offers a simpler and more informal alternative to indicate the constituents of something.

consist of

Provides a direct and widely accepted way to express what something is formed from.

include

Focuses on listing the elements that are part of a whole, rather than the act of being formed.

are constituted of

Presents a more formal alternative that emphasizes the act of establishing or forming something.

are formed from

Highlights the materials or components used in the creation of something.

comprise

Uses the verb "comprise" correctly, indicating that the subject encompasses the listed elements without the passive voice.

are inclusive of

Emphasizes the act of including specific elements within a larger entity.

are built from

Suggests a process of construction or assembly from various parts.

contain

Indicates that something holds or includes specific elements within it.

FAQs

Is "are being comprised of" grammatically correct?

No, "are being comprised of" is generally considered incorrect. The correct phrasing is "are comprised of", "are composed of", or "consist of".

What's the difference between "comprise", "compose", and "constitute"?

"Comprise" means to include or contain; "compose" means to create or form; and "constitute" means to make up or form. Use them carefully to ensure grammatical accuracy. For example, "The whole comprises the parts" or "The parts compose the whole."

How can I rephrase a sentence using "are being comprised" to be grammatically correct?

Instead of "are being comprised", use alternatives like "are made up of", "are composed of", or simply "comprise" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "comprise" in a sentence?

Use "comprise" when you want to say that something includes or contains something else. The parts that make up the whole are what is comprised. The whole comprises the parts. Remember to avoid the passive voice "is comprised of".