Comprise vs. Compose
These two words so often get mixed up that it has almost become acceptable to use them interchangeably. Just the other day, I saw an incorrect usage of comprise on a well-respected university’s web site. I had to make sure that I wasn’t the one who got them mixed up and went and looked it up. Sure enough, the university had used the incorrect phrase comprise of.
Must. Use. Red. Pen.
Needless to say, marking up my computer screen didn’t do any good. So I thought I’d write a blog post about it in case anyone needed the same type of clarification I did.
Compose
Something can be composed of separate elements:
“Wikipedia is composed of articles by many different volunteers.”
Also:
“Contributions from 15 volunteers may compose one Wikipedia article.”
Comprise
Something comprises, or consists of, separate elements.
“Wikipedia comprises articles from many different volunteers.”
An excellent, very short explanation (but more complete than what I’ve given) can be found in The Columbian Guide to Standard American English. Take a peek!
July 2007
6 Responses to “Comprise vs. Compose”
Anonymous Says: May 21st, 2009 at 4:11 pm
I once heard this and it stuck: “The whole comprises the parts, while the parts compose the whole.”
Bruce Morgan Says: June 25th, 2009 at 4:02 pm
I think the last respondant almost got it right. The way I learned it was as follows:
1. The whole is composed of its parts.
2. The parts comprise the whole.
Off to Stockholm, With Many Caveats | Jen Is Famous Says: July 2nd, 2009 at 8:27 pm
[...] did have an aisle seat. I’m going to go sit in it now. More soon! *I struggled with “comprises” versus “is composed of” and went for [...]
Cindy K. Says: July 8th, 2009 at 9:33 pm
The whole comprises the parts; the parts compose the whole is how the American Heritage Dictionary clarifies and promotes the correct usage of these two terms.
How passive vs. active voice enters in is another issue entirely. The example above for “compose” basically straddles both, and would technically be incorrect
Jon V. Says: January 25th, 2010 at 11:37 am
Agree with Cindy. I learned, “A zoo comrises animals; animals compose a zoo.”
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Lee Says: May 21st, 2009 at 12:42 am
The link you refer to says “comprised of” is acceptable, is that what you meant at the top, or was “comprise of” actually what was used? The last version seems totally wrong.