Quick answer: Comprise means “to consist of” — the whole comprises its parts: The UK comprises four nations. Compose means “to make up” — the parts compose the whole: Four nations compose the UK. Never use “comprised of” in formal English; use composed of instead. For a fuller definition, see the Cambridge Dictionary entry for ‘compose’.
Comparison Table
| Word | Direction | Key Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| comprise | whole → parts | to consist of, to include | The UK comprises four nations. |
| compose | parts → whole | to make up, to constitute | Four nations compose the UK. |
Both sentences describe exactly the same fact about the UK and its nations, but the grammatical subject changes depending on which verb you use.
Using Comprise
Use comprise when the subject of the sentence is the whole and the objects are the parts. Because the word already contains the idea of “consisting of”, you must never add “of” after it.
The committee comprises five members.
The anthology comprises 30 poems.
The syllabus comprises three core modules and two electives.
The estate comprises a manor house and three cottages.
The committee comprises of five members. (never add “of”)
The “Comprised Of” Problem
The phrase comprised of is very common in informal speech and everyday writing, but most authoritative style guides — including the Chicago Manual of Style and Fowler’s Modern English Usage — mark it as non-standard. In formal, academic, or professional writing, replace it with either composed of or comprises.
The panel is comprised of six experts.
The panel comprises six experts.
The panel is composed of six experts.
Using Compose
Use compose when the subject of the sentence is the parts and the object is the whole. It answers the question “what makes up the whole?” In the passive voice, composed of is always correct and widely used in formal writing.
Five members compose the committee.
Thirty poems compose the anthology.
Carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen compose most organic compounds.
Three movements compose the symphony.
The novel is composed of twelve interlocking stories.
Other Meanings of Compose
Compose also means to write music or text (Beethoven composed nine symphonies), and to calm oneself (compose yourself before the interview). These meanings are unrelated to the comprise/compose confusion and always use compose, never comprise.
Common Mistakes
✗ The report is comprised of twelve chapters.
✓ The report comprises twelve chapters.
✓ The report is composed of twelve chapters.
✗ Four nations comprise the UK. (parts cannot “comprise” the whole)
✓ The UK comprises four nations. (whole comprises parts)
✓ Four nations compose the UK. (parts compose the whole)
✗ The team comprises of twelve players.
✓ The team comprises twelve players.
Note: “consist of” always takes “of”, but “comprise” never does.
Tips to Remember
- Whole first, parts after → use comprise: “The whole comprises its parts.”
- Parts first, whole after → use compose: “The parts compose the whole.”
- Never write “comprised of” in formal writing — use “composed of” or “consists of” instead.
- Safe alternative: “consist of” always works and is never ambiguous.
- Memory trick: COMPRISE = CONTAINER (the whole contains/comprises the parts).
Also confusing: Accept vs Receive, Advise vs Advice, Borrow vs Lend. Browse all confusing word pairs →
Quick Check: Compose or Comprise?
Four fill-in-the-blank questions — choose the correct word for each sentence.
1. “The report ___ twelve chapters.”
2. “Twelve chapters ___ the full report.”
3. “The team ___ specialists from six countries.”
4. “Six specialists ___ the international team.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between compose and comprise?
Comprise means the whole includes its parts (whole → parts): “The UK comprises four nations.” Compose means the parts make up the whole (parts → whole): “Four nations compose the UK.” The direction of the relationship is reversed. If you can substitute “consists of”, use comprise; if you can substitute “make up”, use compose.
Is it correct to say “comprised of”?
No. “Comprised of” is widely considered incorrect in formal English. The correct forms are “comprises” (without “of”) or “composed of”. Write “The team comprises five members” or “The team is composed of five members”, never “comprised of five members”.
Does comprise take “of” after it?
No. Comprise should be followed directly by the parts, with no preposition: “The kit comprises a tent, a stove, and a map.” Writing “comprises of” is incorrect. If you feel you need the word “of”, switch to “composed of”: “The kit is composed of a tent, a stove, and a map.”
Can “comprise” and “compose” be used interchangeably?
They describe the same relationship from opposite directions, so they are not interchangeable without reordering the sentence. “The anthology comprises 30 poems” (whole first) becomes “Thirty poems compose the anthology” (parts first). The meaning is identical but the grammar differs.
How do I remember the difference between comprise and compose?
Think of a container: the whole COMPRISES (contains) its parts; the parts COMPOSE (build up) the whole. You can also use the substitution test: if “consists of” fits, use comprise; if “make up” fits, use compose.
What does “comprise” mean?
Comprise means “to consist of” or “to include”. The subject is always the whole and the object is the parts. Example: “The committee comprises five members.” It should never be followed by “of”.
What does “compose” mean?
In the context of parts and wholes, compose means “to make up” or “to constitute”. The subject is the parts and the object is the whole. Example: “Five members compose the committee.” Compose also means to write music or text, and to calm oneself (“compose yourself”).
Is “composed of” correct?
Yes. “Composed of” is perfectly correct and is the passive equivalent of “compose”: “The committee is composed of five members.” This is an acceptable alternative to “comprises” and is frequently used in formal writing.
Can I use “consist of” instead of “comprise”?
Yes. “Consist of” is a safe, unambiguous alternative that always takes “of”: “The team consists of specialists from six countries.” It sidesteps the comprise/compose confusion entirely and is never considered an error.
How do compose and comprise appear in academic writing?
In academic writing, “comprises” is preferred over “is comprised of” in style guides such as the Chicago Manual of Style and APA. You will see: “The sample comprises 200 participants” (not “is comprised of”). “Composed of” is also fully acceptable in academic contexts.