they comprise

USAGE SUMMARY

"they comprise" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to mean "to make up, constitute, consist of, or include". For example: "The team comprises eight members".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So far, they comprise a ragtag band.

The New Yorker

They comprise Facebook's seventh-largest national audience.

The Economist

They comprise three of UTV's five non-exeutive directors.

The Guardian

Together, they comprise roughly ninety per cent of our microbes.

The New Yorker

They comprise the family Gonostomatidae, which contains over 30 species.

Britannica

They comprise three-quarters of the European Union's pigeon exports.

The Economist

They comprise the largest health care program for homeless kids in the United States.

The New York Times

They comprise three musicians, two British and one (singer Rakel Mjöll) Icelandic.

The Guardian - Music

They comprise approximately 44,000 items, filling 213 containers on 85.2 feet of shelf space.

The New York Times - Health

Fungi are so distinct that they comprise their own taxonomic kingdom separate from plants and animals.

The Guardian

They comprise nearly 40percentt of the archdiocese's 2.4 million Catholics.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they comprise" when you want to clearly state that a group or set is made up of specific components. Ensure that the components listed after "they comprise" represent the entirety of the group.

Common error

Avoid using "they comprises" as it is grammatically incorrect. "Comprise" is the correct verb form to use with the plural pronoun "they".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they comprise" functions as a declarative statement, asserting that certain entities or elements constitute a whole. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is grammatically correct. For example, "They comprise three musicians" states that the musicians are the full composition of something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

48%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

8%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they comprise" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression used to denote composition or inclusion. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is correct and well-supported by numerous examples. The phrase is frequently encountered in News & Media and Science contexts, indicating a neutral to formal tone. While several alternatives exist, such as "they consist of" and "they include", it's essential to consider subtle differences in meaning. Remember that the word "comprise" means to be made up of or include so "they comprises" is grammatically incorrect. Overall, using "they comprise" effectively enhances clarity and precision in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they consist of

Replaces "comprise" with "consist of", focusing on the elements that make up the whole.

they are composed of

Uses a passive construction emphasizing the act of being made up of something.

they include

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

they encompass

Suggests a broader scope, implying that the listed items are contained within a larger entity.

they constitute

Highlights the act of forming or establishing something.

they make up

An informal way of saying "they comprise", focusing on the act of creating a whole.

they form

Emphasizes the creation of a specific entity or structure.

they embody

Implies that the listed items represent or express something abstract.

they incorporate

Focuses on the act of combining or integrating elements into a unified whole.

they are

A simple statement of equivalence, asserting that the listed items are the same as something else.

FAQs

How to use "they comprise" in a sentence?

Use "they comprise" when you want to indicate what elements make up a whole. For instance, "The team members are John, Jane and Tom. They comprise the entire team."

What can I say instead of "they comprise"?

You can use alternatives like "they consist of", "they include", or "they are composed of" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "they comprise" or "they are comprised of"?

"They comprise" and "they are composed of" are both acceptable, but "they are comprised of" is often considered less precise. Prefer "they comprise" for clarity.

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

"They comprise" suggests that the listed items make up the entirety of something, while "they include" indicates that the listed items are part of a larger, possibly unlisted, group.