to be composed of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be composed of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the elements or components that make up a whole. Example: "The committee is to be composed of representatives from each department."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

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

The Guardian - Opinion

The architecture is said to be composed of 68 percent high-strength steel.

The New York Times

"Shine On" is to be composed of performances, including musical numbers, and video tributes.

The New York Times

Becher believed substances to be composed of three earths, the vitrifiable, the mercurial, and the combustible.

Encyclopedia Britannica

And there is no reason our troops have to be composed of only one sex.

The New York Times

Its surface is thought to be composed of frozen methane, ethane, and nitrogen.

Britannica

The Palm m515's screen, on the other hand, appears to be composed of much coarser square dots.

The New York Times - Tech

Ill feelings all around have led to unrecognizable profiles in which the band seems to be composed of curmudgeons.

The New Yorker

His new wing for the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto seems to be composed of enormous ice cubes.

The New Yorker

A YEAR ago, foreign stock markets seemed to be composed of cast iron and coated with Teflon.

The New York Times

Images shift from blossoms to bloodstains; on closer inspection each is seen to be composed of meticulously painted ornamental motifs.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the detailed makeup of something, use "to be composed of" to clearly convey the specific elements or parts involved. For example: "The team is to be composed of members from different departments".

Common error

While "to be composed of" is grammatically sound, avoid using it in contexts where simpler alternatives like "consists of" or "is made up of" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or complex. For example, instead of saying "The cake is to be composed of flour, sugar, and eggs", you can say "The cake consists of flour, sugar, and eggs".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be composed of" functions as a copular verb phrase indicating the constituent elements of something. It specifies what something is made of or what its components are. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to be composed of" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to describe the constituents of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for formal and technical contexts, although simpler alternatives like "consists of" or "is made up of" exist for less formal situations. This phrase appears most often in scientific and news media, with some examples found in encyclopedias and other source types. When writing, be mindful of the level of formality required and the specific components you're aiming to describe.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to consist of

Indicates the elements that constitute something, similar to "to be composed of".

to be made up of

Emphasizes the constituents that form something, closely resembling "to be composed of".

to be comprised of

A more formal alternative, also indicating the elements that constitute a whole.

to be constituted of

Similar to "to be composed of", but with a slightly more formal tone.

to be formed of

Highlights the act of creation or formation from certain elements.

to be constructed from

Focuses on the building or assembly of something from various components.

to be built of

Implies a structured assembly from specific materials or components.

to be created from

Indicates the source materials used in the making of something.

to be comprised by

Indicates the elements that constitute something in a passive way.

to include

Specifies components or elements that are part of a larger whole, albeit less comprehensively than "to be composed of".

FAQs

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

Use "to be composed of" to describe what elements or parts constitute something. For example: "The committee is to be composed of representatives from each department." You can replace the phrase with alternatives like "to consist of" or "to be made up of".

What's a less formal way to say "to be composed of"?

If you want a less formal option, consider using phrases like "to consist of" or "to be made up of". These alternatives convey a similar meaning without the formal tone.

Is "to be composed of" interchangeable with "to be comprised of"?

While some consider them interchangeable, using "to be comprised of" can be contentious. A safer option is to use "to be composed of", "to consist of", or "to be made up of". Always consider your audience and the level of formality required.

When is it best to use "to be composed of" over other similar phrases?

Use "to be composed of" when you want to precisely and comprehensively describe the constituents of something, especially in technical or formal contexts. For example, when detailing the components of a chemical compound or the structure of an organization.