to be composed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be composed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of being made up of various elements or parts, often in a formal or literary context. Example: "The committee is to be composed of experts from various fields to ensure a well-rounded discussion."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

He showed me how to be composed.

The New York Times - Sports

Her Government turns out to be composed with much skill.

The New Yorker

It allows transformation tasks to be composed hierarchically.

University of California, Berkeley

War tales continued to be composed throughout the medieval period.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Sijo continued to be composed by scholar-bureaucrats.

Encyclopedia Britannica

I'm waiting for the first original novel to be composed solely with emoticons.

The New Yorker

The phrase apparently originated as a confusion of "to comprise" and "to be composed of".

The Guardian - Opinion

"The first quality is to be composed and not to rush things.

The Guardian - Sport

The ovary appears to be composed of three fused carpels, probably with axile placentation (Fig. 3g).

Nature

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

The Caesar salad seemed to be composed mostly of white lettuce and croutons.

The New York Times - Travel

These regions are thought to be composed of foreign or conserved DNA.

BMC Genomics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formally, use "to be composed of" to clearly state the elements that constitute a whole. This phrase is particularly useful in scientific, academic, and technical writing where precision is key.

Common error

Avoid using "comprised of" when you mean "composed of". "Comprise" means to include or contain; the whole comprises the parts, not the other way around. It is more accurate to say, "The committee is composed of members from various departments" rather than "The committee is comprised of members."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be composed" functions as a passive infinitive used to describe the constituent elements of something. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English, often appearing in formal contexts to specify the components of a larger entity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

25%

Encyclopedias

16%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Academia

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to be composed" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe the elements or parts that constitute a whole. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. Predominantly found in scientific, news media, and encyclopedia contexts, it offers a formal and precise way to define the makeup of a subject. While alternatives like "to consist of" and "to be made up of" exist, it’s important to differentiate its usage from the often-confused "comprised of". Using "to be composed" effectively ensures clarity and formality in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to consist of

Emphasizes the elements that constitute something.

to be made up of

Informal way to express the components of something.

to be constituted by

Formal way to indicate the elements forming something.

to be formed from

Highlights the process of creation or formation.

to be comprised of

A more concise way of saying "to be composed of", though sometimes debated in usage.

to be structured with

Focuses on the arrangement and organization of components.

to be built upon

Suggests a foundational or layered construction.

to be derived from

Highlights the origin or source of the components.

to be assembled from

Implies a deliberate construction process.

to be created using

Focuses on the materials or methods used in the formation.

FAQs

How can I use "to be composed" in a sentence?

The phrase "to be composed" indicates what elements or parts make up a whole. For example, "The team is to be composed of members from different departments."

What are some alternatives to "to be composed of"?

You can use alternatives like "to consist of", "to be made up of", or "to be constituted by" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "comprised of" instead of "to be composed of"?

While "comprised of" is commonly used, it's often considered less precise. "Comprise" means to include or contain. It's more accurate to say something is "composed of" its elements.

What's the difference between "to be composed of" and "to consist of"?

Both phrases indicate what something is made of. "To be composed of" often suggests a more formal or structured arrangement, while "to consist of" is a more general way of expressing the same idea.