encompasses

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "encompasses" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing something that includes or covers a wide range of elements or aspects. Example: "The study encompasses various factors that influence climate change."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The ancient Zoroastrian festival marking the spring equinox, Nowruz, which started on Saturday, encompasses the revered tradition of Eid-Didani, or visiting one another.

The Guardian

ReachTel polling in Indi, a vast electorate in Victoria's north-east that encompasses Wangaratta, Wodonga and part of the state's snowfields, showed that McGowan is set to capture 25% of the primary vote, with Mirabella on 47%, down from the 52.62% of the primary vote she won in 2010.

The Guardian

This encompasses the things we do with our lives, the goals we have – be they trying to foment socialist revolution or teaching our dog to sit.

The Guardian

The movement encompasses a number of different issues, including the privatisation of universities and workers' rights.

The Guardian

Martyn Kellaway is the conservative councillor for the Llanwern ward, which encompasses Redwick and the area where Tesco's turbines were built.

The Guardian

"I wouldn't want to get married, civil partnership encompasses everything I want," he said, adding that it remained a positive move.

The Guardian

The term modern-day slavery encompasses bonded labour, forced labour and descent-based slavery, where the status of a slave passes from mother to child.

The Guardian

But she goes on to say: "Afrofuturism also goes beyond spaceships, androids and aliens, and encompasses African mythology and cosmology with an aim to connect those from across the Black Diaspora to their forgotten African ancestry".

The Guardian - Tech

Their 35-year-history encompasses political protest, eclectic collaborations and provocative performance – all of which come together in DS30, a stirring work commemorating the miners' strike.

The Guardian - Film

The En ergiewende ("energy turn"), which also encompasses a large and generously subsidised push into renewable energy, means putting up prices when in competitors such as America energy is getting cheaper; this looks worrying to some businesspeople.

The Economist

President Obama favours the multilateral approach that TPP encompasses, while Mitt Romney urges a tough-on-China stance and could use an Asian trade pact to keep China out, notes Mr Hurd.Either way, Messrs Petri's and Plummer's scoring of trade positions, based on the texts of previous agreements, is a useful way to visualise the tough talks ahead.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "encompasses", ensure the subject clearly includes a range of diverse elements, aspects, or topics. Use it to convey a sense of comprehensiveness and breadth.

Common error

Avoid using "encompasses" when a simpler word like "includes" or "covers" would suffice. Reserve it for situations where you truly want to emphasize the comprehensive nature of the inclusion.

Linguistic Context

The word "encompasses" functions as a transitive verb, indicating that the subject includes or covers something comprehensively. Ludwig examples show it often introduces a list of elements or aspects included within a larger concept or area.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "encompasses" is a versatile transitive verb used to indicate that something includes a wide range of elements. Ludwig's analysis reveals that it is grammatically correct and very common, particularly in news, formal business, and scientific contexts. While synonyms like "includes" and "covers" exist, "encompasses" emphasizes a broader, more comprehensive inclusion. When writing, reserve "encompasses" for situations where you want to highlight the thoroughness of the inclusion, and avoid overusing it in simpler contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is well-established and effectively conveys comprehensiveness in various professional and academic settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

includes

A direct synonym, suggesting that something is a part of a larger whole, but perhaps less comprehensive than "encompasses".

covers

Focuses on the extent to which a subject is dealt with or the area something physically occupies, differing from the more abstract inclusion implied by "encompasses".

comprises

Highlights the components that make up a whole, whereas "encompasses" emphasizes what is included within a scope or boundary.

incorporates

Suggests the integration of elements into a unified structure, indicating more active combination than the passive inclusion of "encompasses".

embraces

Implies acceptance or enthusiastic inclusion, adding a layer of positive reception not present in the neutral "encompasses".

takes in

Suggests incorporating something physically or conceptually, where "encompasses" can be more abstract.

consists of

Highlights the elements that something is made up of, differing from "encompasses'" broader sense of inclusion.

integrates

Focuses on bringing different elements together to form a functional whole, suggesting a higher level of coordination than "encompasses".

subsumes

Suggests including something under a more general category or principle, differing from the more general inclusion of "encompasses".

encapsulates

Focuses on expressing essential features concisely, rather than the broader covering implied by "encompasses".

FAQs

How do I use "encompasses" in a sentence?

Use "encompasses" to indicate that a subject includes a wide range of elements. For example, "The project encompasses various aspects of environmental sustainability."

What can I say instead of "encompasses"?

You can use alternatives like "includes", "covers", or "comprises" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "encompasses" or "includes"?

Both "encompasses" and "includes" are correct, but "encompasses" suggests a more comprehensive inclusion. Use "encompasses" when you want to emphasize the breadth of what is being included.

What's the difference between "encompasses" and "encapsulates"?

"Encompasses" means to include comprehensively, while "encapsulates" means to express the essential features of something concisely. They are not interchangeable.