which is comprised of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which is comprised of" is often considered incorrect in formal writing, as "comprised of" is a misuse of the term "comprise." You can use it in contexts where you are describing the components or elements that make up a whole, but it's better to use "comprises" instead.
Example: "The committee, which is comprised of experts in various fields, will review the proposals."

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The earth is the central element, which is comprised of rectilinear shapes done in a dry-brush technique.

The New York Times

An estimation scheme which is comprised of two subestimators is designed.

Energy Procedia

SNARL is part of the UC's Natural Reserve System, which is comprised of nearly 40 properties across the state.

University of California, Berkeley

All witnesses were questioned by the committee, which is comprised of 40 members with a Republican majority.

Princeton University

OneWorld's fate is now in the hands of the panel, which is comprised of two New Zealand high court judges, an Australian judge and two Italian judges.

The New York Times - Sports

The sale cannot go through, however, until it is approved by Major League Baseball, which is comprised of 30 team owners.

The New Yorker

You have the protestors in the streets, and you have the formal, political opposition, which is comprised of Islamists and Socialists and pretty much everyone else.

The New Yorker

FSG declined to meet the ticket working group which is comprised of three of the club's supporters groups.

Independent

Foam is considered as a separate phase which is comprised of a mixture of air and liquid.

Chemical Engineering Science

ED performance was adequately modeled by the Nernst-Planck equation, which is comprised of electroosmotic (migration) and diffusion contributions.

Journal of Membrane Science

It is often differentiated from risk assessment, which is comprised of the scientific considerations of a risk.

Environmental Biotechnology A Biosystems Approach

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "which is comprised of", ensure clarity by clearly defining the components that make up the subject you're describing.

Common error

Avoid using "comprised of" when you mean "composed of" or "consists of". "Comprise" means to include or contain; the parts comprise the whole, not the other way around. So, it is better to say "The whole comprises the parts.", instead of "The whole is comprised of parts."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which is comprised of" functions as a relative clause, specifically a non-defining relative clause, to provide additional information about the noun it modifies. It indicates the components or elements that constitute the subject being described. The Ludwig examples showcase its use in specifying the parts of a whole, such as a committee or a system.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

36%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "which is comprised of" is a relative clause used to describe the components of something. While incredibly common, Ludwig AI indicates some consider the phrase grammatically questionable in formal contexts, often preferring alternatives such as "which consists of" or "which is composed of". However, the frequency of its appearance across diverse sources, including news, science, and academia, showcases its widespread use. When writing, consider your audience and the level of formality required. If in doubt, opt for one of the alternatives to avoid potential criticism.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

which consists of

Emphasizes the elements that make up the whole, often implying a more structured or defined composition.

which is composed of

Similar to "which is comprised of", but generally considered more grammatically sound by some.

which includes

Indicates that the list of elements is not necessarily exhaustive; there may be more unlisted components.

which is made up of

A more informal alternative, emphasizing the act of construction or assembly.

which contains

Focuses on the presence of certain elements within the whole, rather than defining the entire composition.

which incorporates

Suggests a blending or integration of elements into a unified whole.

which encompasses

Implies a comprehensive inclusion of all relevant elements within a defined scope.

which features

Highlights specific, noteworthy elements that are part of the whole.

which embodies

Indicates that the elements collectively represent or express a particular quality or concept.

which integrates

Emphasizes the interaction and interdependence of the elements within the whole.

FAQs

What is a more grammatically accepted alternative to "which is comprised of"?

More grammatically accepted alternatives include "which consists of", "which is composed of", or simply "which includes".

How can I use "which is comprised of" in a sentence?

Use "which is comprised of" to define the parts that constitute something. For example: "The team, which is comprised of experts, will handle the project".

Is "comprised of" considered incorrect in formal writing?

While widely used, "comprised of" is often discouraged in formal writing. Using "composed of" or "consists of" are typically seen as more grammatically sound.

What's the difference between "which is comprised of" and "which comprises"?

"Which is comprised of" describes something made up of parts. "Which comprises" means something includes those parts. For instance, "The committee, which is comprised of members from various departments..." versus "The document, which comprises several sections..."