are comprised of

USAGE SUMMARY

"are comprised of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to say that something consists of several parts or elements. For example, "This recipe is comprised of five ingredients."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

Many organs are comprised of all three germinal layers.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The quizzes are comprised of a series of questions about my so-called "friends".

The New Yorker

But groups are comprised of individuals with names and faces and stories to tell.

The Guardian

Eurovision scores are comprised of rankings made by appointed jury members in combination with a popular televote.

The New Yorker

The Wilkinson Family are comprised of Uncle Henry, a dentist, Aunt Maud, boy scout Eric and Grandma.

The Guardian

"These videos almost always are comprised of old video footage that is edited together to make a new video".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

"GE's is comprised of individual pieces.

The Economist

Your audience is comprised of people, right?

The New Yorker

The thigh is comprised of what?

The New York Times - Sports

The kitchen is comprised of a bank of three toasters.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Each is comprised of complex combinations of individual beats.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using "are composed of" as an alternative, as it's often considered more direct and clearer to some readers.

Common error

Avoid using "comprised of" in the active voice. The active form of "comprise" means "to include or contain", not "to be made up of". For example, it's incorrect to say "The parts comprised the whole". Instead, say "The parts compose the whole" or "The whole comprises the parts".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are comprised of" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject is made up of certain components. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct. For instance, "The team are comprised of players, coaches, and staff."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are comprised of" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression to indicate that something is made up of specific elements. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. While alternatives such as "are composed of" may be preferred by some for their directness, "are comprised of" remains a valid option. Be mindful of using "comprise" in the active voice versus the passive construction "are comprised of". The phrase is commonly found in scientific, news, and formal business contexts and is therefore suited for use across various writing styles, mostly descriptive and neutral, as long as the whole comprises the parts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are made up of

Focuses on the act of creation or assembly of components.

are composed of

Emphasizes the elements that constitute the whole.

consist of

Directly states what something is made of.

are constituted by

Highlights the legal or formal establishment of something.

are formed from

Suggests a process of transformation or shaping.

are inclusive of

Indicates that the listed items are included, but may not be exhaustive.

contain

Highlights elements held or accommodated within a larger entity or system.

incorporate

Highlights the inclusion or integration of specific parts within a whole.

are inclusive with

Highlights components contained or accommodated within a larger entity or system.

embody

Highlights the inclusion or integration of abstract concepts within a whole.

FAQs

How to use "are comprised of" in a sentence?

Use "are comprised of" to indicate that something consists of specific parts or elements. For example, "The committee members "are composed of" volunteers, staff, and board members".

What can I say instead of "are comprised of"?

You can use alternatives like "are made up of", "consist of", or ""are composed of"" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "are comprised of" or "are composed of"?

Both phrases are generally accepted, but ""are composed of"" is often preferred for its clarity and directness. "Are comprised of" is also correct, but can sometimes sound less natural.

What's the difference between "are comprised of" and "comprise"?

"Are comprised of" is a passive construction meaning "to be made up of", while "comprise" (active voice) means "to include" or "to contain". Therefore, the subject and object are reversed; the whole comprises the parts, and the parts are made up of the whole.