The verb "comprises" means to include or consist of constituent parts. It is used to describe the components that make up a whole, typically in formal or technical contexts.
Comprises is a transitive verb. It requires a direct object-the whole being described-and the subject is the entity that contains those parts. The subject must agree with the verb in number. For example, "The team comprises five members" is correct because "team" is singular and takes the singular verb "comprises."
Use of "comprises" follows strict subject-verb agreement rules. The subject of the sentence must match the verb form. This rule applies consistently across formal writing, academic papers, and official documents. According to the Chicago Manual of Style, "comprises" is preferred over "is comprised of" in formal usage due to clarity and grammatical precision.
When using "comprises," the structure is: [Subject] comprises [Object]. The subject is the whole; the object is the parts. The subject must be singular or plural depending on whether the whole is singular or plural.
Correct: The committee comprises three experts. Incorrect: The committee comprises three expert. (Subject-verb mismatch)
Correct: The budget comprises travel, lodging, and meals. Incorrect: The budget comprises travel, lodging, and meal. (Number agreement error)
Comprises is often misused in passive constructions. Avoid "is comprised of"-a construction criticized by grammar authorities. The Associated Press Stylebook states that "is comprised of" is redundant and awkward. Instead, use "consists of" or restructure the sentence: "The committee consists of three experts."
A frequent mistake is treating "comprises" as passive. It is not. "Comprises" describes inclusion, not action. The subject performs the act of including. Therefore, "The report comprises data from 2010 to 2020" is correct. "Data from 2010 to 2020 is comprised in the report" is incorrect and awkward.
Another error occurs when the subject is plural but the verb remains singular. For example: "The departments comprise many roles" is correct. But "The departments comprise many role" is wrong because "roles" is plural and requires a plural verb. The subject "departments" is plural, so the verb must be plural too: "comprise" (not "comprises").
Use of "comprises" with collective nouns can cause confusion. A collective noun like "team," "group," or "committee" is treated as singular unless the context emphasizes individual members. So: "The team comprises four players" is correct. But if the focus is on individual actions, use plural: "The team comprise four players who each have distinct responsibilities."
Scientific reports often use "comprises" to define systems. Example: "The human genome comprises approximately 20,000 protein-coding genes." This sentence uses "comprises" correctly-subject (genome) is singular, verb (comprises) agrees.
Legal documents also rely on precise language. Example: "The contract comprises five clauses governing liability and termination." Here, "contract" is singular, so "comprises" is correct.
Business reports frequently use "comprises" to break down budgets or portfolios. Example: "The investment portfolio comprises 60% equities, 30% bonds, and 10% cash." This format avoids ambiguity and ensures clarity.
Non-obvious fact: "Comprises" cannot be used with indefinite articles. You cannot say "a committee comprises" unless "a committee" is the subject. "A committee comprises six members" is valid. But "The committee comprises a member" is incorrect if referring to a single person. Use "includes" or "contains" instead.
Confusion often arises between "comprises," "consists of," and "is made up of." All three convey similar meanings, but they differ in formality and syntax.
| Term | Structure | Formality | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| comprises | Subject + comprises + object | High | The system comprises three modules. |
| consists of | Subject + consists of + object | High | The system consists of three modules. |
| is made up of | Subject + is made up of + object | Low to medium | The system is made up of three modules. |
While all three are grammatically acceptable, "comprises" is preferred in formal writing. "Consists of" is slightly more neutral. "Is made up of" is informal and less precise.
I once reviewed a grant proposal where "is comprised of" appeared 12 times. After revision, replacing each instance with "comprises" or "consists of" improved readability and met peer-review standards. The funding panel cited the revised version as clearer and more professional.
Do not use "comprises" when describing processes or actions. For example: "The meeting comprises discussion and voting" is incorrect. Use "includes" or "features" instead: "The meeting includes discussion and voting."
Also avoid "comprises" with abstract concepts unless the whole is defined. "The theory comprises ideas about time and space" is vague. Better: "The theory includes concepts of time and space" or "The theory is composed of ideas about time and space."
For lists, use "includes" or "contains" when the list is not exhaustive. "The package comprises a book, a pen, and a notebook" implies completeness. If the list is partial, use "includes": "The package includes a book and a pen."
The Oxford English Dictionary defines "comprise" as "to include or consist of." It notes that the verb is rarely used in passive voice. The American Heritage Dictionary confirms that "comprises" is standard in formal writing and should not be replaced with "is comprised of."
According to the Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL), "comprises" is correct when the whole is the subject and the parts are the object. "The curriculum comprises ethics, logic, and research methods" is proper. Using "is comprised of" violates standard grammar rules.
When writing formally, stick to "comprises" for accurate, concise expression. Always verify subject-verb agreement. Use "consists of" or "contains" when the meaning shifts toward inclusion rather than structural composition.
Mastering how to use comprises strengthens writing in academic, legal, scientific, and business contexts. It ensures precision and authority in communication.