that are composed of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that are composed of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the elements or materials that make up a particular object or concept. Example: "The sculpture is made of various materials that are composed of metal, glass, and wood."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

At the other extreme are organic solids, particularly polymers, that are composed of large molecules.

Britannica

(A) Transmission electron microscopy shows collagen bundles (asterisks) that are composed of well-organized collagen fibrils.

Nature

Statistical parsers are trained on treebanks that are composed of a few thousand sentences.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Look for archival storage products that are composed of one of these three polymers.

The New York Times

Microcoquinas are similar sedimentary rocks that are composed of finer material.

Encyclopedia Britannica

There are, however, numerous compound semiconductors that are composed of two or more elements.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Using Tile Tool, the designer draws free-form shapes that are composed of preformed tiles.

The New York Times - Books

Then there is an apparently new form of cover, little ribbon-like strips that are composed of multiple filaments.

The Guardian

Considerable attention has been given to deltas that are composed of very coarse deposits those of sand and gravel.

Britannica

Prussian blue, any of several deep-blue pigments that are composed of complex iron cyanides and hence called iron blues.

Britannica

Deployable cable-strut structures are spatial structures that are composed of struts, active and passive cables.

Journal of Constructional Steel Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the composition of something, ensure that the elements you list are essential and defining characteristics. Avoid including minor or incidental components unless relevant to your explanation.

Common error

Avoid using "that are composed of" to list every single element in a complex system. Focus on the primary components that define the structure or function. Listing too many minor details can dilute the impact of your description and confuse the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that are composed of" functions as a relative clause, modifying a noun and describing its constituent parts. Ludwig AI confirms this usage with numerous examples across diverse contexts, indicating its role in providing detailed descriptions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

50%

Encyclopedias

15%

News & Media

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "that are composed of" is a versatile relative clause used to describe the composition of various entities. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and widely used across scientific, encyclopedic, and news sources. This phrase functions to specify the components of a subject, providing clarity and detail. While alternatives like "that consist of" and "which comprise" exist, "that are composed of" remains a common and effective choice for detailed descriptions. Remember to focus on essential elements and avoid listing minor details to maintain clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that consist of

Replaces "composed of" with the synonym "consist of", maintaining a similar meaning but offering a slightly different phrasing.

that are made up of

Uses the phrasal verb "made up of" as an alternative to "composed of", providing a more informal tone while retaining the core meaning.

which comprise

Employs the verb "comprise" to indicate what something is made of, offering a more concise and formal alternative.

that include

Shifts the focus to listing elements rather than defining the composition, implying a partial rather than complete list.

that contain

Focuses on the inclusion of specific elements within a structure or substance, similar to "include" but emphasizing the presence of items.

that integrate

Similar to "incorporate", but more concise, emphasizing the integration of elements.

that feature

Highlights specific characteristics or components, suggesting a prominent or noteworthy aspect of the composition.

that incorporate

Highlights the integration of different components into a unified whole, emphasizing the process of combining elements.

that embody

Suggests that something exemplifies or represents certain components, rather than being literally made of them.

that represent

Similar to "embody", focusing on the symbolic representation of elements rather than physical composition.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "that are composed of"?

You can use alternatives like "that consist of", "that are made up of", or "which comprise" depending on the context.

How to use "that are composed of" in a sentence?

Use "that are composed of" to describe the elements or materials that make up a particular object or concept. For example, "The sculpture is made of various materials that are composed of metal, glass, and wood."

Which is correct, "that are composed of" or "that are comprised of"?

While both phrases are used, "that are composed of" is generally considered more grammatically correct. "Comprise" means to include or contain; therefore, the whole comprises the parts, not the other way around. You can use "which comprise" if you want to use comprise.

What's the difference between "that are composed of" and "that are comprised of"?

"That are composed of" describes what something is made of. "That are comprised of" is often used incorrectly, as "comprise" means to include or contain. The correct usage would be "which comprise" instead of "comprised of".