was composed

USAGE SUMMARY

"was composed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that something was arranged or put together, usually from smaller parts. For example, "The mural was composed of several distinct pieces of art."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was composed by chance.

The New Yorker

She was composed.

The Guardian - Books

He was composed, as always.

The Guardian - Books

It was composed by Mlle.

The New Yorker

"An original score was composed," he recalled.

The New York Times

The ninth symphony was composed in 1945.

The New York Times - Arts

This book was composed by royal order.

Yale University

Fraenkel's was composed of terse meteorological observations.

The New Yorker

One centerpiece was composed of limbless dolls.

The New York Times - Style

Another was composed of erotic couples.

The New York Times - Arts

The music was composed by Tim Harrison.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was composed" to indicate that something is formed by combining different elements or parts. It is suitable for describing the creation of music, literature, or physical structures.

Common error

Avoid using "was composed" in overly casual contexts where simpler terms like "made of" or "created" would be more appropriate. This phrase often lends a more formal tone to the writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was composed" functions as a passive verb construction, indicating that the subject received the action of being created or formed. Ludwig shows many examples where it describes the creation of artistic works, structures, or the makeup of groups.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

34%

Wiki

24%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was composed" is a grammatically sound and common construction used to describe the formation or creation of something from different elements. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase in written English. The phrase appears most frequently in news, scientific, and wiki contexts, indicating a neutral to formal register. While related phrases like "was created" or "was formed" offer similar meanings, "was composed" often emphasizes the constituent parts of the whole. To avoid common errors, it's best to use it in contexts where a more formal tone is appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was created

Focuses on the act of bringing something into existence, often implying originality or invention.

was formed

Emphasizes the process of taking shape or being structured, often from multiple elements.

was made up of

Highlights the constituent parts or elements that constitute the whole.

was constructed

Implies a deliberate and often complex building or assembly process.

was put together

A more informal way of saying something was assembled or created.

was written

Specifically refers to the act of producing written material, like a book or song.

was developed

Suggests a gradual process of growth or refinement.

was designed

Indicates a specific plan or purpose behind the creation.

was organized

Emphasizes the arrangement and structure of something.

was compiled

Refers to gathering information or material from various sources into a single collection.

FAQs

How can I use "was composed" in a sentence?

You can use "was composed" to indicate that something is formed by combining different elements or parts. For example, "The symphony was composed by Beethoven" or "The committee was composed of members from various departments".

What's the difference between "was composed of" and "comprised of"?

"Was composed of" means that something is made up of certain elements. "Comprised of" means the same thing, but some usage guides prefer "composed of" because "comprise" technically means to include or contain. However, "comprised of" is widely accepted now.

What can I say instead of "was composed"?

You can use alternatives like "was created", "was formed", or "was made up of depending on the context".

Is it correct to say "the team was composed by the coach"?

While grammatically understandable, it's more common and natural to say "the team was selected by the coach" or "the team was picked by the coach" instead of using "composed" in that context. "Was composed" is typically used when describing the elements that make up something, not the person who selected them.