Close in meaning
Compose vs. Comprise
Compose means to make up a whole: the parts compose the whole. Comprise means to include or consist of: the whole comprises the parts. Seven days compose a week; a week comprises seven days.
| Word | Part of speech | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| compose | verb | to make up or form a whole, often used in the passive as is composed of |
| verb | to write music, a poem or a careful message; also to calm yourself | |
| comprise | verb | to include or consist of; the whole comprises its parts |
Compose
verb: to make up or form a whole, often used in the passive as is composed of
- Twelve volunteers compose the planning committee.
- The salad is composed of greens, nuts and dried fruit.
verb: to write music, a poem or a careful message; also to calm yourself
- Ana composed a short song for her grandmother's birthday.
- He took a deep breath to compose himself before the interview.
Comprise
verb: to include or consist of; the whole comprises its parts
- The museum comprises three buildings and a sculpture garden.
- The course comprises ten lessons and a final exam.
How to remember the difference
The whole comprises the parts, the way a box holds what is inside. The parts compose the whole, the way notes compose a song.
Good to know
Is comprised of (The team is comprised of five players) is very common and appears in dictionaries, but many editors and style guides still treat it as an error. In careful writing, use is composed of, consists of, or just comprises.
Spot the mistake
The book is
comprisedcomposed of twelve short stories.Correct: The book is composed of twelve short stories.
Check yourself
Pick the word that fits each sentence.
1. Does the camping kit a tent, two poles and a set of stakes?
Answer: comprise. The whole kit consists of these parts, and the whole comprises its parts.
2. Together, five small islands the nation.
Answer: compose. The parts, the islands, make up the whole, the nation, so compose fits.