which comprises

USAGE SUMMARY

'which comprises' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to introduce two or more items that make up a larger whole, and can also be used to introduce a clause that explains the same concept. For example: “The company has five divisions, which comprises the marketing, finance, human resources, IT, and operations departments.”.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

"They like to be called third gender, which comprises roughly 10percentt of the total population".

The New York Times

The Council of Europe, which comprises 40 countries, also forbids the death penalty, even in wartime.

The New York Times

But there are only five black pastors in the diocese, which comprises Brooklyn and Queens.

The New York Times

The quality of the longlist (which comprises every eligible submitted book) varied wildly.

The Guardian - Books

By 1978, the state had amassed 87 acres, which comprises the current park site.

The New York Times

That distinction belongs to the Amity Regional School District, which comprises Bethany, Orange and Woodbridge.

The New York Times

The work is from his series Théâtres de mémoire, which comprises close to 100 works.

The Guardian - Arts

Significant improvement also occurred in the Chancellor's District, which comprises 40 failing schools.

The New York Times

Our gut, which comprises two-thirds of our immune system, is full of the stuff.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Tourism is vital to the economy of the country, which comprises two islands.

The New York Times

This week, the awareness became acute in the diocese, which comprises Brooklyn and Queens.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "which comprises" to introduce a list of elements that completely define a whole. It indicates that the listed items are all that constitute the subject.

Common error

Avoid using "which comprises" when the list is not exhaustive. If other elements are part of the whole, use phrases like "which includes" or "which contains" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which comprises" functions as a relative clause, introducing a nonrestrictive clause that specifies the elements or components that constitute a particular entity or subject. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "which comprises" serves to introduce a list of the constituent parts of something, fully defining its composition. As indicated by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely employed across various writing styles, from formal to scientific. The most frequent sources of the phrase are "News & Media", "Encyclopedias" and "Science". While "which comprises" is appropriate in most settings, it's important to ensure the listed elements provide a complete accounting, and consider using alternative phrasing if that's not the case. Consider variants such as "which includes" or "which consists of" when you wish to provide examples rather than a complete list.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that consists of

Emphasizes the components making up the whole.

which constitutes

Emphasizes the elements that form or establish the whole.

which includes

More direct and casual, yet retains the core meaning of composition.

that is composed of

A more formal alternative to "consists of".

that includes

Replaces "comprises" with a more general term for inclusion.

which encompasses

Inversion of the original query, for the sake of word variety.

that encompasses

Suggests a broader inclusion or scope.

which contains

Focuses on the inclusion rather than the composition.

that is made up of

A more informal way to express composition.

that integrates

Highlights the action of bringing the various parts together.

FAQs

How to use "which comprises" in a sentence?

Use "which comprises" to introduce a clause that defines what something is made of. For example, "The committee, "which comprises" members from various departments, will review the proposal."

What can I say instead of "which comprises"?

You can use alternatives like "which includes", "which consists of", or "which constitutes" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "which comprises" or "that comprises"?

"Which comprises" and "that comprises" are both grammatically correct, but "which" introduces a nonrestrictive clause, adding extra information, while "that" introduces a restrictive clause, essential to the sentence's meaning. Choose based on whether the clause is vital or additional.

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

"Which comprises" suggests a complete listing of all parts, while "which includes" suggests only some of the parts are listed. Use ""which comprises"" when you are listing everything.