be composed of

USAGE SUMMARY

"be composed of" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to consist of or to be made up of something. You can use "be composed of" to describe the parts or elements that make up something. For example: - The human body is composed of various organs and systems. - The painting was composed of vibrant colors and intricate details. - The team was composed of players from different countries. - The report was composed of data collected from various sources.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(1), substituted "shall be composed  of  the  following:"  for  "shall  be  composed of—".

Cornell University

They may be composed of a strong, diamond-like material.

The Guardian

He thought that it should be composed of conscripts.

The New Yorker

The entire list could be composed of riesling.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Drilling mud can be composed of various types of clay.

Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering

Nanostructures can also be composed of arrays of individual nanomaterials.

Handbook of Self Assembled Semiconductor Nanostructures for Novel Devices in Photonics and Electronics

The pervasive computing environment will be composed of heterogeneous services.

Pervasive and Mobile Computing

Each canton would be composed of councils overseen by a general assembly.

The New Yorker

And Trump's Cabinet, should his nominees win Senate approval, will be composed of anti-regulatory zealots.

The New Yorker

In this environment, virtually all the waste gas will be composed of CO2 and water vapour.

The Guardian

The phrase apparently originated as a confusion of "to comprise" and "to be composed of".

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the composition of something, ensure that the elements you list are exhaustive or clearly representative of the whole. For example, instead of saying "The cake is composed of flour and sugar" (implying those are the only ingredients), specify all major components or use a phrase like "The cake is primarily composed of flour and sugar."

Common error

Avoid using "comprising of". The word "comprise" means to include or contain; therefore, adding "of" is redundant. Use "be composed of" or simply "comprises" instead. For example, say "The committee comprises five members" or "The committee is composed of five members", not "The committee is comprising of five members".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be composed of" functions as a copular verb phrase, linking a subject to a description of its constituents or components. As Ludwig AI clarifies, it indicates what elements something consists of. Examples show its use in describing physical compositions, organizational structures and abstract entities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be composed of" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe the elements that constitute something, according to Ludwig AI. It's versatile, appearing frequently in News & Media, Science, and Academia. While "consist of" and "be made up of" offer similar meanings, "be composed of" leans toward neutrality, while "comprise" presents a more formal option. Remember that "comprising of" is often considered incorrect. To enhance your writing, ensure exhaustive or representative element listing, and choose "be composed of" for a clear, neutral description of something's composition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

consist of

This alternative offers a more direct and concise way of expressing the same concept.

be made up of

This option is more informal and emphasizes the act of creation or assembly.

be comprised of

Be comprised of is considered incorrect by some but is commonly used, and is considered acceptable by many.

comprise

This is a more formal synonym that indicates inclusion of parts within a whole. Note that 'comprise' means to contain or include; the parts comprise the whole, not the other way around.

be constituted of

This is a more formal and less common alternative, emphasizing the structural elements.

be formed of

This alternative highlights the process of formation or creation.

be constructed from

This option emphasizes the building or assembly process, often implying a deliberate design.

be built from

Similar to 'be constructed from', but suggests a more fundamental or basic construction.

include

This is a broader term that indicates the presence of certain elements without necessarily implying completeness.

contain

This alternative emphasizes that something holds or includes specific elements or parts.

FAQs

What does "be composed of" mean?

The phrase "be composed of" means to consist of or be made up of specific elements or components. It describes the parts that constitute a whole.

What can I say instead of "be composed of"?

You can use alternatives such as "consist of", "be made up of", or "comprise" depending on the context and level of formality.

Is it correct to say "be comprised of"?

While commonly used, "be comprised of" is considered incorrect by some. The verb "comprise" means "to consist of" or "to include", so adding "of" is redundant. It's generally safer to use "be composed of" or simply "comprises".

How do I use "be composed of" in a sentence?

Use "be composed of" to describe what something is made of. For example, "The team is composed of experienced professionals" or "The solar system is composed of the sun and its planets".