Confused Words: Comprise, Consist of, Compose, Include & Contain

Hello, wonderful students! Today, let’s explore the nuances among five commonly mixed-up English words: comprise, consist of, compose, include, and contain. While these words all refer to elements within a whole, each has its unique usage and context.

Comprise

The verb comprise (IPA: /kəmˈpraɪz/) means ‘to consist of’ or ‘to be made up of’. It is often used to show how something is made up of various parts.

Here are 5 examples:

1. The book comprises ten chapters. (The book is made up of ten chapters)
2. Our team comprises five members. (Our team consists of five members)
3. The cake comprises flour, sugar, eggs, and butter. (The cake is made up of flour, sugar, eggs, and butter)
4. The committee comprises experts from different fields. (The committee is made up of experts from different fields)
5. Her wardrobe comprises clothes from all over the world. (Her wardrobe consists of clothes from all over the world)

Consist of

To consist of (IPA: /kənˈsɪst ɒv/) means to be formed or made up of something.

Here are 5 examples:

1. The team consists of four engineers. (The team is made up of four engineers)
2. The breakfast consists of coffee and toast. (The breakfast is made up of coffee and toast)
3. Our band consists of three musicians. (Our band is formed from three musicians)
4. The test consists of multiple-choice questions. (The test is made up of multiple-choice questions)
5. The dish consists of rice, fish, and vegetables. (The dish is made up of rice, fish, and vegetables)

Compose

The verb compose (IPA: /kəmˈpoʊz/) means ‘to form by putting together’ or ‘to be or constitute a part of or element of’.

Here are 5 examples:

1. The council is composed of 12 members. (The council is made up of 12 members)
2. The choir is composed of amateur and professional singers. (The choir is formed from amateur and professional singers)
3. Several committees compose the city government. (Several committees form part of the city government)
4. A variety of flavors compose this delicious dish. (A variety of flavors constitute part of this delicious dish)
5. Five different metals compose the alloy. (Five different metals constitute the parts of the alloy)

Include

To include (IPA: /ɪnˈkluːd/) means ‘to contain as a part of the whole’.

Here are 5 examples:

1. The tour price includes meals and accommodation. (The tour price contains meals and accommodation as part of the whole)
2. Her responsibilities include managing the team. (Her responsibilities contain managing the team as part of the whole)
3. The guest list includes several celebrities. (The guest list contains several celebrities as part of the whole)
4. The package includes additional accessories. (The package contains additional accessories as part of the whole)
5. The course includes a final exam. (The course contains a final exam as part of the whole)

Contain

To contain (IPA: /kənˈteɪn/) means ‘to hold or include within itself’.

Here are 5 examples:

1. The box contains old photographs. (The box holds old photographs within itself)
2. The report contains important information. (The report includes important information within itself)
3. The soup contains vegetables and meat. (The soup holds vegetables and meat within itself)
4. The museum contains artifacts from ancient Greece. (The museum includes artifacts from ancient Greece within itself)
5. The email contains details about the meeting. (The email holds details about the meeting within itself)

Conclusion

That’s it! While comprise, consist of, compose, include, and contain all relate to the idea of forming a whole, each word is used in a slightly different context. Remember, practice makes perfect, so keep using these words in your daily English conversations and writings!