largely comprised of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "largely comprised of" is commonly used in written English, but it is often criticized for being incorrect.
You can use it when describing the main components or elements that make up a whole, although "composed of" is generally preferred. Example: "The committee is largely comprised of experts in environmental science."

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Tetrahymena inverted repeat is largely comprised of the large subunit ribosomal RNAs and also contains tRNAs, including trnL paralogs, whereas Oxytricha's appears to be largely comprised of protein-coding ORFs of unknown function.

Genome Biology and Evolution

Comparisons between antithrombotic treatments were largely comprised of single, albeit large, studies.

BMJ Open

Chasing Asylum is largely comprised of news clips, text inserts, talking heads and secretly recorded, previously unseen footage.

The Guardian - Film

In both Afghanistan and Pakistan, the Taliban is largely comprised of Pashtuns, whose homeland was cut in half by the British.

The New York Times

Soon after the table was published, Sussex issued a response to the news on their website, largely comprised of comments from pro-vice chancellor Clare Mackie.

The Guardian

Now, it just sounds like life -­­ it's organic, and largely comprised of shadow, making the moments of light all the sweeter.

The Guardian

"I expected that some would object to my participation in an annual forum that is largely comprised of softball questions to a leader unaccustomed to being challenged.

The Guardian

The museum opened in 1988 with a collection largely comprised of Ms. Slovin's flea market finds, like an early Shirley Temple doll.

The New York Times - Arts

This time, Kobe Bryant, a k a the best player on the planet, and his Lakers were beaten by a Doc Rivers-coached team largely comprised of N.B.A. finals first-timers.

The New York Times

Released in early February, it's rumoured to be largely comprised of covers along the lines of the teaser track Full Moon and Empty Arms, most famously performed by Frank Sinatra.

The Guardian

Mr Garrett's audience is largely comprised of six to 14-year-olds.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "largely comprised of", ensure that the components you are listing truly make up the majority of the whole. Avoid using it if the components represent only a small portion.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on "largely comprised of" when simpler alternatives like "mostly made up of" or "mainly consisting of" can convey the same meaning more directly. Choose the phrasing that best suits the tone and audience of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "largely comprised of" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or noun phrase. It indicates the composition or constitution of something, specifying that it is mainly or mostly made up of particular elements. Ludwig examples confirm this usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

41%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "largely comprised of" is a common way to describe the composition of something, indicating that it's mainly made up of specific elements. Ludwig highlights its wide usage across different contexts, especially in scientific and news publications. Though considered acceptable, Ludwig AI points out that some sources prefer "composed of" for better precision. When using this phrase, ensure that the components listed constitute the majority of the whole. For clarity and style, consider using simpler alternatives like "mostly made up of" or "mainly consisting of" when appropriate. Overall, while generally acceptable, be mindful of the context and audience when choosing this phrasing to ensure clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mostly composed of

This alternative offers a more direct and simple phrasing, replacing 'largely comprised' with 'mostly composed'.

mainly consisting of

This phrase uses 'consisting' which emphasizes the components that constitute the whole, similar to 'comprised'.

primarily made up of

Using 'primarily' highlights the main elements, and 'made up of' is a more informal substitute.

predominantly formed of

This option uses 'predominantly' to stress the major part and 'formed of' suggests a structural aspect.

chiefly constituted of

This alternative is more formal, replacing 'largely' with 'chiefly' and 'comprised' with 'constituted'.

substantially composed of

Using 'substantially' emphasizes a significant portion, and 'composed of' is a more standard choice.

generally consisting of

This emphasizes a general composition, rather than a strict or exact one.

principally consisting of

Principally indicates the main or most important elements, making it a formal alternative.

heavily composed of

This emphasizes that something is made up of a great amount of something else, highlighting quantity.

basically made up of

This phrase suggests that the composition is fundamental or essential.

FAQs

What does "largely comprised of" mean?

The phrase "largely comprised of" means that something is mainly or mostly made up of certain components or elements. It indicates that those components form a significant portion of the whole.

Is "largely comprised of" grammatically correct?

While widely used, some consider "largely comprised of" less precise than "largely composed of". However, it is generally accepted in common usage, as shown by Ludwig.

What can I say instead of "largely comprised of"?

You can use alternatives like "mostly composed of", "mainly consisting of", or "primarily made up of" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "largely comprised of" and "composed of"?

"Composed of" indicates what something is made of, while "largely comprised of" specifies that the listed elements constitute a significant portion but not necessarily the entirety of the whole.