they are comprised of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they are comprised of" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to describe the constituents or components that make up a larger entity. For example: "The team is comprised of talented individuals from different backgrounds." Here, the phrase indicates that the team is made up of various individuals with different skills and backgrounds. Other examples: - "The book is comprised of ten chapters." - "The committee is comprised of representatives from each department." - "The festival is comprised of various cultural performances." - "The company's success is comprised of hard work and dedication from its employees."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They are comprised of αβ-tubulin heterodimers arranged into linear protofilaments and assembled into tubes.

Stanford University

They are comprised of four subunits that form a dimer of dimers.

Journal of Molecular Graphics and Modelling

Conventional flexible OPV cells do not meet this requirement because they are comprised of thick, rigid materials, which make the devices fragile.

Nature

Natural ECM preparations, however, are challenging to work with because they are comprised of macromolecules that are large and insoluble in their functional state.

Biomaterials

They are comprised of a biosensor that includes the binding site for a small ligand and they respond to association with this ligand by undergoing a conformational change.

Biosensors and Bioelectronics

The primary amino acid sequence of the angiopoietins predicts that they are comprised of a coiled coiled and a fibrinogen-like domain.

Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications

These polymers dissolve in water/alcohol as they are comprised of a conjugated backbone with hydrophilic side chains of sodium butane sulfonates.

Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells

They are comprised of a mysteriously absent son, a nasal whine of a daughter and Vince's wife, whose sole interaction with him is to mutter: "Please cheer up will ya," on her way out to Zumba.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

They are comprised of elastic, gestural arabesques that have more definable weight and presence than the forms or shapes in the other two artists' works, but they still maintain a certain weightlessness.

The New York Times

Structurally, they are comprised of two distinct moieties, a diterpene-derived lipophilic ketolide and a 3-amino-2,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid (ADHBA, 5), linked by an amide bond (Fig. 1c, d 12,13.

Nature

They are comprised of at least five distinct cell types: α cells (secreting glucagon), β cells (insulin), γ/PP cells (pancreatic polypeptide), δ cells (somatostatin) and ε cells (ghrelin).

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they are comprised of" when you want to clearly and formally state the elements that constitute a whole. Ensure that "they" refers to a plural subject.

Common error

Avoid using "they are comprised of" when referring to a singular subject. Instead, use "it is comprised of" or rephrase the sentence to use a plural subject.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they are comprised of" functions as a descriptive phrase indicating the constituents or components of a plural subject. It specifies what elements make up the subject being discussed, as confirmed by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

61%

News & Media

23%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they are comprised of" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for detailing the composition of a plural subject. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its correctness and widespread usage across diverse contexts such as science, news, and academia. While "composed of" is often preferred by grammar purists, "comprised of" remains a common and acceptable alternative. Remember to reserve this phrase for plural subjects and consider alternatives like "they consist of" or "they are made up of" for varied expression. This phrase effectively communicates the specific elements that constitute a whole, contributing precision and clarity to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they consist of

This alternative replaces "comprised of" with "consist of", which has a slightly more formal tone.

they are composed of

This uses a synonym for "comprised" to express a similar idea with a slightly different word choice.

they are made up of

This option uses a more informal and direct way of expressing composition.

they are formed of

This focuses on the act of forming or creating something from its components.

they constitute

This suggests that the components together create or make up the whole.

they include

This alternative focuses on listing some, but not necessarily all, of the components.

they contain

This suggests that the components are contained within the whole.

they encompass

This implies that the components are included within a larger scope or range.

they feature

This option highlights specific aspects or characteristics that are present.

they embody

This suggests that something is an expression of or gives a tangible or visible form to an idea, quality, or feeling.

FAQs

How can I use "they are comprised of" in a sentence?

Use "they are comprised of" to describe the elements or parts that make up a whole. For example, "The team is comprised of skilled engineers and designers."

What are some alternatives to "they are comprised of"?

You can use alternatives like "they consist of", "they are made up of", or "they are composed of" to express a similar meaning.

Is "comprised of" the same as "composed of"?

While similar, "composed of" is generally considered more grammatically correct. "Comprised of" is widely used and accepted, but some grammar purists prefer "composed of".

What is the difference between "they are comprised of" and "they comprise"?

"They are comprised of" means that they are made up of certain elements, while "they comprise" means that they constitute or include those elements. For example, "The committee is comprised of members from various departments" versus "Members from various departments comprise the committee".