is comprised

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is comprised of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to indicate that something is made up of several parts or elements. For example, "This outdoor recreational area is comprised of two acres of nature trails, a playground, and picnic areas."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The thigh is comprised of what?

The New York Times - Sports

It is comprised mostly of local stations.

The New Yorker

Your audience is comprised of people, right?

The New Yorker

"GE's is comprised of individual pieces.

The Economist

The kitchen is comprised of a bank of three toasters.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Each is comprised of complex combinations of individual beats.

The New York Times

Even "Mystery Train" is comprised of thematically unified essays.

The New Yorker

"Pupils have an insecure understanding of how Britain is comprised.

The Guardian

The suite is comprised of Yahoo!

TechCrunch

Coatomer is comprised of two subcomplexes.

Protein & Cell

The model is comprised of sixteen parameters.

SERIEs

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is comprised of" when you want to clearly state the components or elements that make up a whole. Ensure that all the key components are listed for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "is comprised by" as it can be confusing and less clear than the active voice construction. Instead, rephrase the sentence to use "comprises" actively: "The team comprises these members" rather than "The team is comprised by these members".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is comprised of" functions as a stative verb phrase, indicating the composition or constitution of something. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in describing the elements that make up a whole, as shown in numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

42%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is comprised of" serves as a versatile phrase to delineate the components forming a whole. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is grammatically sound and widely accepted. The phrase finds frequent application across diverse domains, especially within scientific literature and news media, signaling a tendency towards neutral or professional registers. While interchangeable with terms like "consists of" or "is made up of", writers should be wary of the passive form "is comprised by", leaning towards active constructions or alternative phrasings for enhanced clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

consists of

Emphasizes the elements that constitute the whole, similar to "is comprised of".

is composed of

A more formal synonym, emphasizing the act of forming or creating.

is made up of

Informal and direct way of expressing composition.

constitutes

Focuses on the elements that form or compose something.

includes

Indicates that certain elements are part of a larger group but doesn't necessarily imply a complete list.

is formed from

Emphasizes the material or elements used in the creation of something.

contains

Highlights the presence of specific components within a larger entity.

encompasses

Suggests a broader inclusion, often covering a wide range of elements or aspects.

incorporates

Implies the integration of various elements into a cohesive whole.

features

Highlights the presence of notable or important elements.

FAQs

How can I use "is comprised of" in a sentence?

Use "is comprised of" to indicate what elements constitute a whole. For example, "The committee "is comprised of" members from various departments."

What are some alternatives to "is comprised of"?

You can use alternatives such as "consists of", "is made up of", or "includes" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "is comprised by" instead of "is comprised of"?

While "is comprised of" is the standard and generally preferred usage, "is comprised by" can be confusing and should be used with caution. It's often better to rephrase the sentence to use the active voice: "The whole comprises the parts".

What's the difference between "is comprised of" and "includes"?

"Is comprised of" typically suggests a complete listing of components, whereas "includes" implies that the list may not be exhaustive and there could be other unmentioned elements.