mostly comprised of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mostly comprised of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate a greater than average composition of something, usually in comparison to other components. For example, "The concert was mostly comprised of folk music."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Daniel left a lengthy note, mostly comprised of statements depicting his state of mind.

The Guardian

Leeds' black population, mostly comprised of single young men, was then tiny.

The Guardian

At MERE, these attendees are mostly comprised of alumni and faculty, who serve as judges.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Bernard Besserglik Pantin, France After someone said Mick Jagger's rugged physiognomy was probably mostly comprised of laughter lines, George Melly replied: "Nothing is that funny".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Your mobile phone still camera, and your video "camera", are still mostly comprised of software – apps that operate the sensors built into the devices.

The Guardian - Opinion

The exhibit is mostly comprised of unpublished photographs of the Lovings at home, which Grey Villet, a Life magazine photojournalist, made in 1965.

The New Yorker

The maps of the most heritable traits were mostly comprised of landmarks closely located to each other, indicating patterns of common shape variation in the respective areas.

Nature

The board, which is mostly comprised of academic scientists, reviews EPA research to ensure that environmental regulations have a sound foundation.

The Washington Post

The inversion results suggest that the top layer is mostly comprised of laterites followed by mixture of clay/clayey sand and garnulites/granite as basement rocks.

Journal of Hydrology

He still remembers an early performance by Drake in 2009 at S.O.B.'s, where the audience was mostly comprised of record company executives.

The New York Times

Setting that detail aside, Mr. Cantor's untaxed group includes college students and senior citizens, and is mostly comprised of households with incomes less than $17,000 a year.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "mostly comprised of", ensure that the components you are listing accurately reflect the primary constituents of the whole. Avoid using it when the components represent a small fraction.

Common error

A frequent error is using "comprised of" when "composed of" is more appropriate. Although 'comprised' means 'to consist of,' it's best used in the active voice (e.g., 'The committee comprised ten members.'). For passive constructions, opt for 'composed of' or 'made up of' (e.g., 'The committee was composed of ten members.').

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mostly comprised of" functions as a descriptive phrase, specifying the main components or elements that constitute a particular entity or subject. As indicated by Ludwig, this usage is grammatically correct and common across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "mostly comprised of" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe the major components of something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and wide applicability across various contexts, especially in news, science, and formal business settings. While the phrase is acceptable, consider the slightly more formal "composed of" as an alternative, particularly when precise construction is required. When aiming for interchangeability while maximizing word choice, alternatives like "largely composed of" or "mainly made up of" can offer similar meanings. Use "mostly comprised of" when the components constitute a significant but not necessarily complete portion of the subject.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

largely composed of

Focuses on composition rather than a more general 'comprising', indicating a substantial portion.

mainly made up of

Uses more common vocabulary; less formal than "comprised".

primarily consisting of

Emphasizes the primary component, slightly shifting the focus.

predominantly formed of

Highlights the formation process, suggesting origin or assembly.

chiefly constituted of

More formal and emphasizes the elements that constitute the whole.

substantially composed of

Highlights that composition is notable.

generally consisting of

Indicates a typical or usual composition.

is mostly made up of

Simple word reordering does not change meaning.

principally composed of

Similar to 'primarily' but with a slightly stronger emphasis.

almost entirely made of

Suggests near-complete composition, a stronger emphasis.

FAQs

How do you use "mostly comprised of" in a sentence?

Use "mostly comprised of" to indicate that something is primarily made up of certain components. For example, "The team was mostly comprised of volunteers."

What are some alternatives to saying "mostly comprised of"?

You can use alternatives like "largely composed of", "mainly made up of", or "primarily consisting of" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "comprised of"?

While "comprised of" is commonly used, some grammar purists prefer "composed of". However, Ludwig AI indicates that "mostly comprised of" is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

What's the difference between "mostly comprised of" and "entirely comprised of"?

"Mostly comprised of" indicates that the components listed make up a significant portion, but not the entirety, while "entirely comprised of" means that the components listed make up the whole. For example, "The cake was mostly comprised of flour and sugar", versus "The cake was entirely comprised of organic ingredients".