When to Use Comprise?

Comprise is a verb that means "to contain." The word is used near the beginning of a sentence. Example: The house comprises ten rooms and three baths. Compose is a verb that means "to combine,” “to put something in order,” or “to make up." The word is used near the end of a sentence.

When to use comprise and compose?

Let's take a closer look at the definitions to put this in context: comprise is a verb that means “to include or contain” or “to consist of” as in The pie comprises 8 slices. Compose means “to be or constitute a part of element of” or “to make up or form the basis of,” as in Eight slices compose the pie.

How do you use comprise in a sentence?

meaning: consist of, be made up of
  1. His country is comprised of fifty states and one district.
  2. This book is comprised of 250 pages.
  3. The opening paragraph is comprised of three sentences.
  4. It is enough to say that the whole is comprised of its parts.
  5. Before its demolition, the factory was comprised of 20 buildings.
James H. Sterling

James H. Sterling

Environmental Science & Climate Journalist

James Sterling reports on renewable energy developments, climate policy, ecological conservation, and green tech innovations around the globe.