that comprise

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that comprise" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to refer to a group or set of things that make up something else. For example, "The United Nations consists of 193 member countries that comprise the organization."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science & Research

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

# polynomial curves that comprise the spline.

Stanford University

(b) The types of cells that comprise the cell population.

Nature

Black Ain't," Marlon Riggs's 1994 documentary about the infinite permutations of experience that comprise blackness.

The New Yorker

Hundreds of thousands of tourists visit the 1,800 islands that comprise the Maldives every year.

The Guardian

Write a paper explaining the aspects of society and culture that comprise a civilization.

The New York Times

The terms of the IPCC are ultimately set by the governments that comprise the UN.

The Guardian

Phytoplankton provide organic matter for the organisms that comprise the vast majority of marine life.

Nature

Those factors within the epithelium that comprise this defense are listed in Table 1.

Nature

There is a surprisingly small number of glycan compositions that comprise the glycolipidome.

Nature

Cantor Sher serves both the Reform and Conservative congregations that comprise Temple Beth Abraham.

The New York Times

All the elements that comprise the universe, tucked into boxes neatly stacked atop one another.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that comprise" to clearly indicate the elements or components that make up a larger entity or concept. Ensure the subject and verb agree in number (e.g., 'the elements that comprise').

Common error

Avoid using "that comprise" with a singular subject. "Comprise" implies multiple elements forming a whole, so ensure the subject is plural or collective (e.g., avoid: 'the element that comprise', use: 'the elements that comprise').

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that comprise" functions as a relative clause, modifying a noun by specifying the elements or components that constitute it. It introduces additional information about the noun, indicating what it is composed of. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science & Research

30%

News & Media

30%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that comprise" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that functions as a relative clause. According to Ludwig AI, it's used to specify the elements constituting a whole, especially in formal and scientific contexts. Common errors include using it with singular subjects. Alternatives include "that constitute" and "that consist of". Ludwig's examples showcase its prevalence in Science & Research, News & Media, and Academia, reinforcing its role in precise and detailed descriptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that constitute

Replaces 'comprise' with 'constitute', emphasizing the act of forming or composing something.

that are composed of

Uses a passive construction to highlight the elements forming the whole.

that consist of

Indicates that something is made up of specific parts.

that make up

A more informal way of saying "that comprise", focusing on the act of creating something.

that form

Emphasizes the action of creating or establishing something.

that include

Suggests that the listed items are part of a larger group, but not necessarily all of it.

that encompass

Highlights the scope or range of elements included.

that incorporate

Focuses on the inclusion of elements into a larger structure.

that embody

Suggests the listed items represent or express something abstract.

that represent

Highlights the symbolic or indicative nature of the elements.

FAQs

How do I use "that comprise" in a sentence?

Use "that comprise" to specify the components or elements that constitute a whole. For example, "The factors "that comprise" a successful project include planning, execution, and communication."

What can I say instead of "that comprise"?

You can use alternatives like "that constitute", "that consist of", or "that make up" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "that comprise" or "that comprises"?

"That comprise" is correct when referring to multiple elements. "That comprises" is incorrect because "comprise" needs a plural antecedent in this context. The correct usage depends on whether the subject is plural or singular; however, in this relative clause, the subject refers to multiple elements.

What's the difference between "that comprise" and "that include"?

"That comprise" indicates all the components that form something, while "that include" suggests only some of the components are being mentioned. "That comprise" is exhaustive, whereas "that include" is not.