comprises

USAGE SUMMARY

"comprises" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is usually used to indicate that something includes all the components or elements that make it up. For example: "This curriculum comprises five courses: English, Math, Science, History, and Arts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It comprises just three, including the leader of the anti-power sharing Traditional Unionist Voice, Jim Allister, and the Green party's sole representative, Steven Agnew.

The Guardian

But that comprises a mere 2% who regard him as "great", while 31% say he was a terrible prime minister.

The Guardian - Opinion

The US system of listening comprises a military command controlling a large civilian workforce.

The Guardian - Tech

Despite occasionally acknowledging that some academics might be women, his comments betrayed his assumption that academics are male, for apparently their default uniform comprises trousers, a jacket, a shirt and a tie.

The Guardian

Weight is not a factor Type 2 diabetes, where the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or the body's cells don't react to insulin, comprises about 90% of adult cases.

The Guardian

The simple system, which comprises a bucket with a thin hose attached to a nozzle, can clean a million gallons of water.

The Guardian

Breakfast comprises homemade breads, pastries and jams, with lots of fresh fruit and local duck eggs.

The Guardian - Travel

The CBS joint venture comprises seven entertainment channels including CBS Drama, CBS Action and CBS Reality.

The Guardian

But aid flows to LDCs, which comprises two-thirds of their external finance, must be increased, the OECD said.

The Guardian

It comprises of short stories of various persons who are closely and quite loosely connected.

The Guardian - Books

It comprises tens of thousands of pages detailing tax rulings for hundreds of companies, with many of those agreements secured by accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "comprises" when you want to explicitly state that something consists entirely of the listed parts. For instance, "The team comprises five members."

Common error

Avoid using "comprises of". The word "comprises" already implies inclusion, so adding "of" is redundant. The correct usage is "comprises" without "of".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "comprises" is as a transitive verb. It indicates that a whole is composed of specific parts, denoting the relationship between the whole and its constituents. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "comprises" is a transitive verb used to indicate the composition of a whole from its parts. According to Ludwig AI, it is a grammatically correct and usable word, primarily functioning to define or describe what constitutes something. It is most frequently found in news and media, as well as in formal and business contexts, indicating a neutral to formal register. Remember to avoid the common error of using "comprises of", as "comprises" already implies inclusion. Consider alternatives like "consists of" or "includes" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

consists of

This alternative is a phrasal verb that emphasizes the elements that make up something.

constitutes

Similar to "comprises" but often used to emphasize the legal or formal establishment of something.

is composed of

This passive voice construction highlights the act of being formed from constituent parts.

includes

This term indicates that something contains certain elements, but doesn't necessarily encompass all elements.

incorporates

This word suggests a more integrated inclusion of elements.

encompasses

This suggests a broader scope of inclusion, potentially covering more aspects.

is made up of

A more informal phrasing emphasizing the components of a whole.

is formed of

Emphasizes the formation or creation of something from its components.

contains

A simple way to indicate that something holds or includes specific elements.

features

Highlights specific aspects or characteristics that are included.

FAQs

How can I use "comprises" in a sentence?

Use "comprises" to indicate what something is made up of. For example, "The committee comprises members from various departments."

What's a good alternative to "comprises"?

You can use alternatives like "consists of", "includes", or "is composed of" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "comprises of"?

No, the phrase "comprises of" is grammatically incorrect. The word "comprises" already means 'to consist of', so the "of" is redundant. Use "comprises" alone.

What is the difference between "comprises" and "includes"?

"Comprises" indicates that something is made up entirely of the listed items, while "includes" suggests that the listed items are part of something, but not necessarily all of it.