what comprises

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what comprises" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase is typically used when you want to explain what something is made up of. For example, "What comprises a healthy diet?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

What comprises a dog picture?

The New Yorker

Thus, much of what comprises this ceiling is invisible.

The Guardian - Opinion

I've realized that really seems for me to be what comprises the essence of life".

The New York Times - Magazine

Because groundwater is an "invisible commons", he argues, farmers struggle to know what comprises sustainable usage.

The Guardian

"Hopefully, Manhattan can keep expanding its definition of what comprises Manhattan".

The New York Times

Is it, as Pitchfork wondered recently, "a label, a scene, a subgenre, a red herring?" And if it is a label, who or what comprises its roster?

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

He said there had been "substantial disputes" about what comprised matrimonial assets and their value.

The Guardian - Music

A striking contrast was presented by France, which would not budge from an astringent and classic definition of what comprised the secular: a strict separation of religion from the state, or, for that matter, from the public domain.

The Guardian

It is impossible to know what comprised that mass before it was swallowed by the black hole because it has been crushed out of existence and only its combined gravitational impression remains.

The Guardian

Through Hilton I began to understand what comprised the creative life of an artist.

Huffington Post

The details of what comprised these two categories are given in notes to Table 3.

Health Policy and Planning

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "what comprises" when you need to know the specific parts, elements, or ingredients that form a whole. It is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "is comprised of". While common, it's often considered less precise. Stick to "comprises" or "is composed of" for clarity and grammatical correctness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what comprises" functions as an interrogative phrase used to inquire about the composition or constituents of something. It seeks to understand the elements or parts that make up a whole. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

36%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "what comprises" is a versatile interrogative used to inquire about the composition of something, as confirmed by Ludwig. It functions grammatically to solicit information about the essential elements of a subject, fitting comfortably in neutral settings. Usage patterns show it’s prevalent in science and news, suggesting broad applicability. While "what is comprised of" is a common variant, sticking to "what comprises" ensures greater clarity. Consider alternatives like "what constitutes" for added formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what constitutes

Replaces 'comprises' with 'constitutes', focusing on the elements that form or establish something.

what is composed of

Uses a passive construction to ask about the elements that make up a whole.

what consists of

Similar to 'is composed of', but emphasizes the parts included in a whole.

what are the components of

Focuses specifically on the individual parts that make up something.

what are the elements of

Similar to 'components of', highlighting the basic parts or principles.

what makes up

A more informal way to ask about the constituents of something.

what is included in

Focuses on the items that are contained within something.

what does it contain

A direct question about the contents of something.

what are its ingredients

Specifically asks about the components of a mixture or product.

what is the makeup of

Emphasizes the structure and arrangement of the components.

FAQs

How can I use "what comprises" in a sentence?

You can use "what comprises" to ask about the components or elements of something. For example, "What comprises a healthy ecosystem?" or "What comprises the company's assets?"

What's a more formal alternative to "what comprises"?

A more formal alternative to "what comprises" is "what constitutes". It carries a similar meaning but is often preferred in academic or professional settings.

Is it correct to say "what is comprised of" instead of "what comprises"?

While "what is comprised of" is commonly used, it is often considered less precise than "what comprises". It's generally better to use "what comprises" or "what is composed of".

What's the difference between "what comprises" and "what includes"?

"What comprises" refers to the essential components or elements that form a whole, while "what includes" refers to items that are part of a larger set, but not necessarily fundamental to its composition. For example, "What comprises a balanced diet?" versus "What does the package include?"