"Comprise" vs "compose" - what's the difference?
"The committee comprises twelve members." (the committee = 12 members)"The UK comprises four nations."Direction: whole → parts."Twelve members compose the committee." (12 members = the committee)"Four nations compose the UK."Direction: parts → whole.Memory trick: The whole COMPRISES the parts...
- "The committee comprises twelve members." (the committee = 12 members)
- "The UK comprises four nations."
- Direction: whole → parts.
- "Twelve members compose the committee." (12 members = the committee)
- "Four nations compose the UK."
- Direction: parts → whole.
Memory trick
The whole COMPRISES the parts. The parts COMPOSE the whole.
"Is comprised of"
Controversial. Strictly speaking, "the committee is comprised of twelve members" is considered incorrect by purists (you wouldn't say "the committee is consisted of"). The correct form is "the committee comprises twelve members" or "is composed of twelve members."
The honest truth
"Is comprised of" is used so widely - even in quality publications - that it's effectively accepted in standard usage. In formal legal or academic writing, avoid it. In most other contexts, it's fine.
What's the difference between "Comprise" and "compose"?
"The committee comprises twelve members." (the committee = 12 members)"The UK comprises four nations."Direction: whole → parts."Twelve members compose the committee." (12 members = the committee)"Four nations compose the UK."Direction: parts → whole.Memory trick: The whole COMPRISES the parts...
Mixing up similar words is one of the most common learner mistakes.
LLH Tutor explains tricky word pairs like this one so the difference finally sticks.
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