composed of the

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "composed of the" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used when describing the elements or components that make up something. Example: The human body is composed of different systems, such as the respiratory system, the digestive system, and the nervous system.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Mississippian limestones are composed of the disarticulated remains of crinoids.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The audience was largely composed of the poor and uneducated.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Wool fibre is chiefly composed of the animal protein keratin.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The batter is indeed composed of the ingredients.

Independent

We were talking about Fatah's Central Committee, composed of the faction's most venerable leaders.

The New York Times - Magazine

But this journal is not composed of the secret thoughts and confessions of a villain.

The Guardian - Books

The first is composed of the young, discovering that art might be something they understand.

The New Yorker

The definition of underclass is "the lowest stratum of society, usually composed of the disadvantaged".

The New York Times

A guard of honour composed of the Grenadiers was stationed opposite the building.

The Guardian - Music

Saturn proper is composed of the usual--cinder blocks, dried caulking, decomposing cedar shingles.

The New Yorker

But increasingly – and inevitably – all computing devices are composed of the same fundamental commodity components.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "composed of the", ensure that the components you are listing are essential and defining elements of the subject. Avoid using it for incidental inclusions.

Common error

Avoid using "composed of the" when simpler alternatives like "includes" or "contains" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or complex.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "composed of the" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or noun phrase, indicating the constituent elements or components of something. It describes what something is made up of. As Ludwig AI confirms, this construction is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

39%

News & Media

32%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "composed of the" is a grammatically correct and frequently used prepositional phrase that describes the constituent elements of something. As Ludwig AI states, it's appropriate for use in various contexts, especially in science, news, and encyclopedic content. While versatile, it's advisable to consider simpler alternatives like ""consists of"" or ""includes"" in less formal settings to maintain clarity and conciseness. With a high expert rating and widespread application, "composed of the" remains a reliable choice for specifying the composition of a subject.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

comprising the

Replaces "composed" with "comprising", which also denotes that something is formed or made up of particular parts.

consisting of the

Similar to "composed of", "consisting of" specifies the components that something is made of.

made up of the

This is a more informal way of saying "composed of", but carries essentially the same meaning.

constituted of the

"Constituted of" is a more formal and less frequent alternative to "composed of".

formed from the

Focuses on the process by which something is created from its components, rather than just stating the composition.

containing the

Emphasizes that something includes certain elements, rather than being entirely made of them.

including the

Suggests that the listed elements are part of a larger whole, but not necessarily all of it.

built from the

Implies a construction or assembly process involving the components.

incorporating the

Highlights the inclusion of specific elements as integral parts of a larger entity.

resulting from the

Shifts the focus to the outcome of combining elements, rather than the elements themselves.

FAQs

How can I use "composed of the" in a sentence?

Use "composed of the" to describe what elements or components make up a whole. For example, "The team is composed of the most skilled players".

What's a more concise alternative to "composed of the"?

Depending on the context, you could use "consists of", "comprises", or "includes" to express the same idea more succinctly.

Is it correct to say "comprised of" instead of "composed of"?

While "comprised of" is commonly used, traditionally, "comprise" means to include or contain, so the correct usage is "comprises" or "is composed of". See also: "comprising the".

What is the difference between "composed of" and "made of"?

"Composed of" is generally used for more formal or technical contexts, while "made of" is more informal and general. "Composed of" often implies a deliberate arrangement or structure.