comprising

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'comprising' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to mean "including" and can be used to list a number of items. For example: "The menu comprises of various sandwiches, salads, and desserts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Comprising three once grand houses, and furnished with antique mirrors, desks, cabinets, clocks, statues, lamps and paintings, it's like an underfunded museum with comfortable beds.

The Guardian - Travel

(Lynch's plan for a 90-acre site comprising a film studio, cinema, gallery, offices and bar in an abandoned power plant in Łódź – the city that also inspired the cult director's film Inland Empire – is expected to open in 2016).

The Guardian

The mass pyrotechnic display, comprising 7.5 tonnes of fireworks from 16 buildings, came with its own soundtrack by the Melbourne group Strange Talk DJs.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It is understood a core section of the loyalist demonstration opposed to any change on the flag-flying policy is a new hardline group comprising former members of the British Army from Northern Ireland.

The Guardian

The ULA, comprising the Socialist party and People Before Profit TDs, has urged all those liable for the tax to refuse payment before the weekend deadline.

The Guardian

The terms of the injunction say: "The defendants shall not, without the prior written consent of the claimant, [Birmingham University] enter or remain upon land comprising the claimant's campus and buildings at the University of Birmingham... for the purpose of any occupational protest action".

The Guardian

Tobago: For a slice of the real Caribbean, check into the Kariwak Village, a simple family-owned property comprising 24 wood and shingle-roof cabanas a five-minute walk from the beach.

The Guardian - Travel

3pm: Views from Red Hill Canberra is, first and foremost, a planned city, comprising not one but four major population centres.

The Guardian - Travel

The largest information space is the world wide web, comprising maybe 800 million pages, on more than five million servers, all interconnect by hyperlinks to form the eponymous web.

The Guardian - Tech

To celebrate her spirit of adventure one tour operator (not Thomas Cook, but Inntravel) has launched a new self-guided Jemima-themed itinerary, comprising glorious hikes connected via Switzerland's excellent transport system, and following her 1863 route.

The Guardian - Travel

As well as these 1930s-era platheres, there are House of Cards-style meetings, very small, comprising one rich person and several others of constitutional importance, a Labour lord or MP.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "comprising" to introduce a list of the main components or elements that constitute a whole. Ensure that the items listed are indeed all the primary components, or use "including" if the list is not exhaustive.

Common error

Avoid using "comprising of". The correct form is "comprising" or "composed of". "Comprising" already implies that something is made up of certain elements.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "comprising" is as a present participle, often used to modify a noun phrase by specifying its constituent elements. It introduces a list of items or components that make up the whole, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Formal & Business

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "comprising" is a versatile present participle used to indicate the elements that constitute something. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and frequently used across diverse fields, particularly in news, formal business contexts, and scientific writing. It's essential to avoid the redundant "comprising of" and to use it when providing a complete list of components. For situations requiring a non-exhaustive list, alternatives like "including" or "such as" may be more appropriate. The high frequency and source authority of "comprising" underscore its importance in formal and descriptive writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

consisting of

Focuses on the elements that make up the whole, emphasizing the parts.

including

Suggests that the listed items are part of a larger, possibly unstated, group.

constituting

Highlights the elements that form or establish something.

made up of

Emphasizes the components from which something is created.

composed of

Similar to 'made up of', but often used in more formal contexts.

encompassing

Indicates a broader inclusion, suggesting that something covers or contains a wide range of elements.

containing

Focuses on the presence of specific items within a larger entity.

incorporating

Suggests that elements are integrated or combined into a cohesive whole.

embracing

Indicates a comprehensive inclusion, often used when referring to ideas or concepts.

integrating

Similar to incorporating, but emphasizes the process of combining elements.

FAQs

How do I correctly use "comprising" in a sentence?

"Comprising" is used to indicate what something consists of. For example, "The team is "comprising" five members" means the team consists of exactly five members. Be careful not to use "comprising of", which is redundant.

What's the difference between "comprising" and "including"?

"Comprising" indicates a complete list of components, while "including" suggests the list is not exhaustive. Use "comprising" when listing all parts, and "including" when providing examples.

Which is correct: "comprising of" or "comprising"?

The correct phrase is "comprising". "Comprising of" is generally considered incorrect because "comprising" already implies "made up of". Using "of" is redundant.

What are some alternatives to "comprising"?

Alternatives to "comprising" include "consisting of", "including", "constituting", and "composed of". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired emphasis.