may comprise both

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may comprise both" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that something can include two or more elements or components. Example: "The study may comprise both qualitative and quantitative data to provide a comprehensive analysis."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

SLDP may comprise both SL and DP or only one of the compensations.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Cytokeratin-positive cells within the bone marrow may comprise both cancer stem cells and committed progenitors with limited proliferative potential.

Breast Cancer Research

Personal genome tests may comprise both severe and less severe diseases and may as a whole thus be difficult to evaluate.

BMC Medical Genomics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

However, the model-free learning signal may be correlated with more complex model-based signals in this particular task, and there is evidence that a VS PE signal may in fact comprise both model-free and model-based components [ 55].

European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience

Finally, seven methodologies are neither clearly dialogical nor consultative, and three methodologies (pragmatic hermeneutics, deliberative democracy and integrated empirical ethics) may comprise elements of both.

BMC Medical Ethics

The pathognostic PrP patches in the fCJDIns may comprise sPrPSc deriving from both PrPIns and PrPWt.

Aging

In Fig.  4, we demonstrate that neurites in plaques may comprise tau, dysferlin or both.

Acta Neuropathologica

The analysis was influenced by B Berg [ 21], who suggests that content analysis may comprise a combination of both manifest and latent analysis.

BMC Health Services Research

In either case, glial cell replacement using implanted tissue or pluripotent stem cell-derived human neural or glial progenitor cells may comprise a promising strategy for both structural remyelination and metabolic rescue.

Experimental Neurology

Regardless of these fine distinctions and in light of the data with other ligands, it does appear that NF-κB may comprise a central event, where both MyD88-dependent (all TLRs with the exception of TLR3) and TRIF-dependent (TLR3 and TLR4) pathways converge [ 34].

BMC Cancer

It must be pointed out that both proposed histotypes may comprise several taxa or sexual morphs.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "may comprise both" when you want to express that something has the potential to consist of two distinct components, elements, or aspects. This phrasing works well in formal writing and scientific contexts where precision is important.

Common error

Avoid using "comprise of" as it's often considered incorrect. "Comprise" means 'to consist of', so the 'of' is redundant. Instead, use "comprise" directly or opt for "consist of" if you prefer that structure.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may comprise both" functions as a connector, linking a subject with its potential components. It indicates a possibility or potential composition, as seen in Ludwig's examples where SLDP might include SL and DP, or neurites may include tau and dysferlin.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

83%

Encyclopedias

8%

News & Media

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "may comprise both" signifies a potential composition of two elements and, according to Ludwig, is grammatically correct and usable in written English. Predominantly used in formal and scientific contexts, this phrase serves to express a conditional relationship between a subject and its possible components. While grammatically sound, writers should be mindful of the common error of using "comprise of"; "comprise" alone is sufficient. Alternative phrasing includes "can include both" and "might consist of both".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can include both

Expresses possibility and inclusion using simpler vocabulary.

might consist of both

Suggests possibility using 'might' and focuses on composition with 'consist'.

could encompass both

Indicates a broader inclusion or coverage using 'encompass'.

may be composed of both

Emphasizes the components that form the whole.

can be formed of both

Highlights the formation or construction from two elements.

might contain both

Focuses on the presence of two elements within something.

could embody both

Implies that something represents or exemplifies two elements.

may feature both

Emphasizes that both elements are prominent or noticeable aspects.

can incorporate both

Suggests a deliberate integration of two elements.

might integrate both

Suggests that both elements can be united.

FAQs

How can I use "may comprise both" in a sentence?

You can use "may comprise both" to indicate that something could be composed of two elements. For example, "The assessment "may comprise both" a written exam and a practical demonstration".

What are some alternatives to "may comprise both"?

Alternatives include "can include both", "might consist of both", or "could encompass both", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "comprise" or "consist of"?

"Comprise" means to include or contain; "consist of" means to be composed of. Although both can be used to describe composition, "comprise" doesn't take 'of' after it. The phrase "may consist of both" is grammatically correct, while "may comprise of both" should be avoided.

What is the difference between "may include" and "may comprise"?

"May include" suggests that something might contain certain elements, possibly among others. "May comprise", on the other hand, suggests that these elements could constitute the whole thing. If the parts represent the entirety, then "may comprise" is more appropriate.