decompose

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "decompose" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a process of something breaking down into its component parts over time, either naturally or artificially. For example: "After lying untouched for many years, the wooden structure began to decompose."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Searing heat in the summer gives way to heavy rain in winter, all the better for a body to decompose.

The Guardian

We can decompose the statistics to support various narratives, but to me it seems clear that, at a minimum, the security threat from illegal immigrants and spillover violence is a lot smaller than people make it out to be.That doesn't mean we shouldn't be concerned at all.

The Economist

When they die and decompose, this returns to the atmosphere.

The Economist

Modern Indian Parsis place their dead on a "Tower of Silence"—the most famous is in Mumbai where they are consumed by carrion birds.Left to their own devices, bodies decompose very quickly, particularly in hot countries.

The Economist

In the chart below, I decompose the increase in the BRICs' dollar GDP into these two components: the part due to growth (assuming all prices had remained the same) and the part due to price changes of various kinds.

The Economist

But their water-based electrolytes limit their potential, because of water's tendency to decompose by electrolysis.

The Economist

Its enzymes decompose cellulose and hemicellulose into sugar monomers.

The Economist

What if it were possible to decompose the methanol without steam, and within the fuel cell itself?

The Economist

Henry Snaith, Oxford Photovoltaics' founder, looks forward to all-perovskite tandems that have cells of different composition, each tuned to harvest a particular part of the solar spectrum.The main obstacle to the march of perovskites is water: they decompose in it.

The Economist

When hit in this way they decompose to form nanodiamonds.

The Economist

These dead fish running to some 20m tonnes a year wind up getting dumped back into the sea, where they decompose, polluting coastal areas.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "decompose" in scientific contexts, clearly specify the agents or conditions causing the decomposition, such as bacteria, enzymes, or chemical reactions.

Common error

Don't use "decompose" as a general synonym for "destroy" or "ruin". It specifically implies a breaking down into constituent parts, often through natural processes. Be precise in your word choice.

Linguistic Context

The verb "decompose" functions to describe the process of something breaking down into its constituent parts. It is frequently used to describe organic matter decaying, as shown in Ludwig's examples, but also applies to the separation of complex ideas or substances into simpler components.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the verb "decompose" is a versatile term used to describe the process of something breaking down into its constituent parts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and applicable in both physical and abstract contexts. Its frequency is high, particularly in scientific, news, and encyclopedic sources. When using "decompose", ensure it accurately reflects a process of breaking down into components, rather than simply destruction. The related phrases provide alternatives such as "break down" or "disintegrate" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

break down

Focuses on the process of something being reduced into smaller parts.

disintegrate

Emphasizes the loss of structure or cohesion.

analyze

Highlights the examination of something to understand its components.

break up

Implies separation into smaller entities.

decay

Refers specifically to organic matter rotting.

resolve

Suggests breaking something down to find a solution or answer.

disassemble

Implies taking something apart systematically.

crumble

Describes something falling apart into small pieces.

dissect

Involves careful cutting apart for examination.

resolve into components

Highlights the separation of something into its constituent parts.

FAQs

How is "decompose" used in a sentence?

"Decompose" can be used to describe the breakdown of organic matter, like "Leaves "decompose" in the fall", or the separation of complex ideas into simpler ones, such as "We can "decompose" this problem into smaller parts".

What words are similar to "decompose"?

Similar words include "break down", "disintegrate", "decay", and "analyze", each with slightly different nuances.

Which is correct, "decompose" or "break down"?

Both ""decompose"" and ""break down"" are correct, but ""decompose"" often implies a more natural or complex process of disintegration, while ""break down"" can be more general.

What's the difference between "decompose" and "decay"?

"Decompose" is a broader term for breaking down into component parts, while ""decay"" specifically refers to the rotting of organic matter.