Compose vs comprise
The parts compose the whole, and the whole comprises the parts. Compose means to make up something. Comprise means to be made up of something.
Swap in is made up of: if it fits, use comprises, with no of. If makes up fits, use compose.
compose verb
To be the parts that together make up a whole.
- Representatives from every member nation compose the council.
- The team is composed of three engineers and one designer.
comprise verb
To be made up of a set of parts or members, often listed in full.
- These collections comprise rare manuscripts gathered over two centuries.
- The apartment comprises two bedrooms, a kitchen and a bathroom.
Watch out
- Many people use comprise to mean make up, with the parts first, or write is comprised of. Dictionaries record this, but many editors object, so in careful writing use compose or make up.Eight founding families composed the original settlement.
- Active compose meaning consist of, with the whole first, is nonstandard: say comprises there. The passive is composed of is fine, as in the team is composed of three engineers.Such collections comprise dozens of rare manuscripts.
- Compose also means to create music or writing. Comprise never has that meaning.The young pianist hopes to compose a full symphony.
Test yourself
Fifty states blank the United States.
Show answer
compose. The parts come first and make up the whole. Some people use comprise this way, but careful writers avoid it.
The course will blank ten weekly lessons.
Show answer
comprise. The whole comes first and is made up of the lessons.
She likes to blank songs on her old guitar.
Show answer
compose. Compose also means to create music or writing. Comprise never has that meaning.
Each kit will blank a frame, a motor and four wheels.
Show answer
comprise. The kit is the whole, and it is made up of these parts.