we comprised

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we comprised" is not correct in standard English usage.
The correct form is "we comprise" when referring to the whole made up of parts. Example: "Our team comprises five members with diverse skills and backgrounds."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Indeed, the horror of it was how central we were, how ingenuously and not we comprised the larger processes, feeding ourselves and one another to the all-consuming engine of the war".

The New Yorker

For all three injury types, the wound re-epithelialized within 24 hours after injury by migration of surrounding epidermis, generating a WE comprised of Leydig cells and keratinocytes (Fig. 2A F).

Biology Open

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

ICBT-WE comprised mindfulness, work with life values, acceptance, and encouraged reduced avoidance behaviors, while ICBT also included systematic exposure to IBS symptoms and related situations.

Behaviour Research and Therapy

We comprise approximately 1.8percentt of the total U.S. population as of 2010.

Huffington Post

We comprise our insta captions entirely of emojis on a regular basis, because we can't think of anything better anymore.

Huffington Post

These are some wonky statistics considering that women buy half of the movie tickets sold each year and because, well, we comprise 50% of the global population.

Huffington Post

We comprise nearly half of the total U.S. workforce, but we make up less than 40percentt of chemists and material scientists, less than 30percentt of environmental scientists, and less than 20percentt of chemical engineers.

Huffington Post

We comprise a diverse swath of races, creeds, colors, religions, socioeconomic realities and subcultures – hello Dykes on Bikes, Theater Queens, Bears, Otters, Hipsters, Gym Bunnies, Gay Dads, Heather Mommies and (gasp!) everyday working people who identify as queer – who cannot be painted with a single brush.

Huffington Post

The brick kilns we visited comprised the most poverty-wracked communities of India.

BBC

The team we beat comprised guys about whom I could give thumbnail sketches, quick scouting reports and some essential details about personality, and whose names I hardly knew.

The New York Times

When I was first elected in 1987, I was part of an increased number of women in the UK parliament, but we still comprised only 5% of MPs.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Opt for alternatives such as "we are composed of" or "we consist of" for clarity and grammatical correctness, especially in formal writing.

Common error

A frequent error is using "comprised of". The word "comprise" means 'to consist of', so "comprised of" is redundant. A collection of items comprise the whole, so avoid saying something like "The team is comprised of five members.". Instead, say "The team comprises five members" or "The team is composed of five members".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we comprised" functions as a subject-verb construction. However, as Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically questionable because "comprised" is the past tense or past participle, which doesn't fit the intended meaning of "we constitute".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we comprised" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. According to Ludwig AI, the correct form to express that "we" constitute something is "we comprise". While the phrase appears in various sources, including news and scientific articles, its grammatical inaccuracy makes it less suitable for formal writing. It's better to use alternatives like "we comprise", "we are composed of", or "we consist of" for clarity and correctness. Remember to use "comprise" to indicate what the whole is made of, not the other way around.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we are comprised of

Corrects the grammar of the original phrase while maintaining the same meaning.

we constitute

Replaces "comprised" with a more direct synonym, focusing on the act of forming or composing something.

we consist of

Emphasizes the components that make up the whole, similar to "comprised of" but with correct grammar.

we are composed of

Highlights the act of being formed or made up of elements.

we make up

Simple and direct way to express that something is formed or created from specific elements.

we include

Suggests that certain elements are part of a larger group, implying composition.

we form

Highlights the action of creating or establishing something from a set of elements.

we encompass

Implies that the group contains or includes various elements or aspects.

we embody

Suggests representing something in a clear and obvious way, or giving a tangible or visible form to an idea, quality, or feeling.

we incorporate

Indicates the inclusion of something as part of a whole or a larger group.

FAQs

Is it correct to say "we comprised"?

No, "we comprised" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "we comprise", which means we constitute or make up a whole. For example, "We comprise the team" is correct.

What's the difference between "we comprise" and "we are comprised of"?

"We comprise" means that "we" constitute the whole. "We are comprised of" is also correct, but it is passive voice. Both are acceptable, but "we comprise" is often considered more direct and concise. If you'd like a similar sentence with the same active voice, you can use alternatives like "we constitute".

What are some alternatives to "we comprised" that are grammatically correct?

Alternatives include "we consist of", "we are composed of", "we make up", or "we constitute". These phrases all convey the idea of forming or making up a whole.

When should I use "comprise" in a sentence?

Use "comprise" when you want to indicate that something is made up of parts or elements. The whole comprises its parts. For example, "The committee comprises ten members". Ensure that the subject is the whole and the object is the parts.