Compose Yourself to Comprise Clarity

August 02, 2024
Compose Yourself to Comprise Clarity

Compose Yourself to Comprise Clarity

Compose vs. Comprise

The words “compose” and “comprise” are used to talk about parts and whole things. They can be confusing, but I will help you understand them.

History

“Compose” comes from a Latin word that means “to put together.” “Comprise” comes from a French word that means “to include.” These words have been used in English for a long time.

How to Use Them

Compose

When you use “compose,” you talk about putting parts together to make a whole. It often means “made up of.”

Example sentences:

  • The cake is composed of flour, sugar, and eggs.
  • The band is composed of five musicians.
  • The puzzle is composed of 50 pieces.
  • The committee is composed of teachers and parents.
  • The song is composed of different instruments.

Comprise

When you use “comprise,” you talk about the whole thing including all its parts. It often means “includes.”

Example sentences:

  • The cake comprises flour, sugar, and eggs.
  • The band comprises five musicians.
  • The puzzle comprises 50 pieces.
  • The committee comprises teachers and parents.
  • The song comprises different instruments.

Trick to Remember the Difference

One trick to remember is to think: “The whole comprises the parts. The parts compose the whole.”

Summary

“Compose” means to put parts together to make a whole. “Comprise” means the whole includes its parts.

Remember:

  • The cake is composed of ingredients.
  • The cake comprises ingredients.

Now you can use “compose” and “comprise” correctly!