comprised of three sections

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "comprised of three sections" is commonly used in written English, but it is technically incorrect.
The correct usage would be "composed of three sections" or "consists of three sections." Example: "The report is comprised of three sections: introduction, analysis, and conclusion."

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The book is comprised of three sections.

Vice

It comprised of three sections: demographic variables, knowledge variables and perception variables.

BMC Women's Health

The EGSB reactor was comprised of three sections: three-phase separator at the top, reactor body in the middle, and liquid distributor at the bottom.

BioMed Research International

This translated 34 item PTOPS questionnaire was incorporated into the final survey instrument in the current study which comprised of three sections: (i) four global measures of patient satisfaction.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

This study is comprised of two sections.

Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences

Subseries 2 is comprised of two sections, correspondence and topical files.

Columbia University

This debut novel is comprised of seven sections, each based on a separate woman and her portrait.

The Guardian - Books

NASL scripts are comprised of two sections: the script description and the script body.

Nessus Network Auditing

It is shown that in a given reactor and for a given productivity and pressure drop, a reactor configuration comprised of two sections, either containing catalyst pellets of different shapes or held at different operating temperatures, can increase the yield by up to 10 wt% over the traditional fixed-bed reactor configuration.

Chemical Engineering Science

The scoring instrument was comprised of two sections.

Critical Ultrasound Journal

It's a big mountain, comprised of five sections and two main base areas.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "comprised of" is common, prefer "composed of" or "consisting of" in formal writing to avoid grammatical disputes. Think about your audience and the level of formality required.

Common error

Avoid using "comprised of" when "composed of" or "consisting of" are more grammatically sound choices. Remember that "comprise" means to include or contain, so the whole comprises the parts, not the other way around. Therefore, it is best practice to say that something is composed of three sections.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "comprised of three sections" typically functions as a descriptive phrase, specifying the composition or structure of something. Ludwig AI indicates that it's a commonly used phrase, although some sources consider it grammatically questionable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

20%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "comprised of three sections" is used to describe something that consists of three distinct parts. While commonly used, particularly in science, news, and academic writing, Ludwig AI highlights that its grammatical correctness is debated. Therefore, in formal contexts, it's advisable to opt for alternatives like "composed of three sections" or "consisting of three sections". This ensures clarity and avoids potential criticism regarding grammatical precision. Despite the debate, the phrase remains widely understood, making it acceptable in many everyday contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

consisting of three sections

Replaces "comprised of" with "consisting of", a more widely accepted grammatical alternative.

composed of three sections

Substitutes "comprised of" with "composed of", another grammatically sound alternative.

made up of three sections

Replaces "comprised of" with the phrasal verb "made up of", offering a more informal tone.

divided into three sections

Focuses on the division aspect rather than the composition of the whole.

containing three sections

Focuses on the inclusion of three sections as part of a larger whole.

featuring three sections

Emphasizes the presence of three distinct parts.

structured in three sections

Highlights the organizational aspect of having three parts.

in three distinct sections

Adds emphasis on the distinct nature of each section.

with three sections

Simplifies the structure to a basic description of having three sections.

three-section structure

Uses a compound adjective to describe the structure directly, avoiding the verb.

FAQs

What's a more grammatically correct alternative to "comprised of three sections"?

You can use "composed of three sections" or "consisting of three sections", which are generally accepted as grammatically correct.

Is "comprised of" incorrect in all contexts?

While often disputed, "comprised of" is widely used and understood, particularly in less formal settings. However, in formal writing, it's advisable to use alternatives like "composed of" or "consisting of".

How can I rephrase "comprised of three sections" to emphasize the structure?

Consider using phrases like "structured in three sections" or "divided into three sections" to highlight the organization.

What's the difference between "comprised of three sections" and "comprising three sections"?

"Comprised of three sections" means that something is made up of three sections. "Comprising three sections" means that something includes or consists of those three sections. Grammatically, "comprising" is the better choice, but you should strive to select a phrase that aligns most with the formality of your intended audience.