Using the phrases "comprised of" or "comprise of" is a common error. Many people get its usage mixed up with the words "compose" or "consist," which are similar. The proper way to use the word is "comprise." It is correct to use a different word and say "composed of" or "consist of", but incorrect to say "comprised of."
Why "Comprise of" is Incorrect
According to Strunk and White's The Elements of Style, the word "comprise" means, "literally, 'embrace.' A zoo comprises mammals, reptiles and birds (because it 'embraces' or 'includes' them.)" As "comprise" is a synonym for "embrace" or "include", adding the word "of" at the end is incorrect, because one would not say something was "embraced of" or "included of." These are clearly incorrect. When using the word "comprise", remember that it means "include" or "embrace", and you will correctly omit the word "of" from the phrase
How to Use "Comprise" in a Sentence Correctly
Another common mistake in using the word "comprise" is mixing up the relationship between an object and the elements that make up that object. An example of this confusion can be seen the sentence, "mammals, reptiles and birds comprise a zoo." Since "comprise" is a synonym for the word "include", practice replacing "comprise" with "include" and see if the sentence still makes sense. Doing this, the above sentence means, "mamals, reptiles and birds include a zoo," which most people would identify as very incorrect. If you want to talk about the parts that make up a larger whole, use the word "constitute" instead. Using the above example to illustrate, the animals constitute a zoo, but a zoo comprises animals.
Examples of Incorrect and Correct Usage of the Word "Comprise"
- Incorrect: The neighbourhood is comprised of many families with young children.
- Correct: The neighbourhood comprises many families with young children
- Incorrect: Some houses are comprised of brick, others of stone.
- Correct: Some houses comprise brick, others stone.
- Incorrect: My siblings are comprised of three boys and two girls.
- Correct: My siblings comprise three boys and two girls.
- Incorrect: Twenty-three people comprise the Volunteer Committee.
- Correct: Twenty-three people constitute the Volunteer Committee.
- Correct: The Volunteer Committee comprises twenty-three people.
Reference:
William Strunk and E.B. White. The Elements of Style, Fourth Edition. MA: Allyn & Bacon, 2000, 1979.
