Comprise vs Compose
What’s the difference between them?
Comprise
Meaning:
To include or be made up of; consist of.
Examples:
1. The company comprises of five different departments.
2. The new selection of products comprises of both food and clothing items.
3. The team comprises of five experienced members.
Compose
Meaning:
To create or put together something, especially a piece of writing or music.
Examples:
1. She composed a lovely song for her friend's birthday.
2. He composed himself before the interview.
3. The student composed a thoughtful essay for the assignment.
Learn similar and opposite words to spot the difference
Synonyms
Antonyms
Comprise
1. Contain
2. Include
3. Constitute
4. Compound
5. Composition
1. Exclude
2. Dissolve
3. Disconnect
4. Divide
5. Separate
Compose
1.Write
2.Craft
3.Construct
4.Set down
5.Compile
1. Disassemble
2. Deconstruct
3. Dismantle
4. Disorganize
5. Destroy
Tricks for mastery
Useful tips to understand the difference between confusing words "Comprise", "Compose".
1. 'Comprise' is always followed by the phrase 'of' when used in a sentence. For example: 'The building comprises of three floors.'
2. 'Compose' is always used to describe the act of creating something. For example: 'He composed a song on the piano.'
3. Memorize the phrase 'Compose a song, Comprise of many.' This is a helpful mnemonic to help you remember the difference between these two words.
Practice English with the Promova app and avoid misusing confusing words
Frequently asked questions
When should 'comprise' be used?
Comprise should be used when discussing a collection of items or elements that make up a single, larger unit. For example, the United States comprises 50 states, and a sandwich comprises different ingredients.
When is the appropriate context for using 'compose'?
Compose should be used when referring to the creation of something, usually written or music. For example, a composer may compose a symphony, or a writer may compose an essay.
Do 'comprise' and 'compose' share the same pronunciation?
No, they do not share the same pronunciation. Comprise is pronounced /kəmˈpraɪz/, while compose is pronounced /kəmˈpoʊz/.
What are some common mistakes people make when using these words?
A common mistake is to use the word compose when they should be using comprise. Compose means to create something, while comprise means to include or be made up of. Another common mistake is confusing the pronunciation of the two words.
Fill in the gaps to check yourself
1. The United Nations Security Council ___________ of 15 member states.
2. The symphony was ___________ of four movements.
3. His collection of paintings ___________ more than a hundred works.
4. She ___________ a letter to the editor of the local newspaper.
5. The software package ___________ two programs.
6. His team ___________ four players from different countries.
1. Comprise
Explanation: Comprise is used to describe a set of items or individuals that are part of a larger group or whole. In this case, the 15 member states are part of the United Nations Security Council, so the sentence should read The United Nations Security Council comprises of 15 member states.
2. Compose
Explanation: Compose is used to describe the combination of separate parts that are combined to create a single, unified whole. In this case, the four movements are separate parts that come together to create a symphony. Thus, the sentence should read The symphony was composed of four movements.
3. Comprises
Explanation: Comprises is the third-person singular present form of the verb comprise. In this case, the collection of paintings is a single entity that is comprised of more than a hundred works. Thus, the sentence should read His collection of paintings comprises more than a hundred works.
4. Composed
Explanation: Composed is the past tense form of the verb compose. In this case, she is combining separate parts (words and sentences) to create a letter to the editor of the local newspaper. Thus, the sentence should read She composed a letter to the editor of the local newspaper.
5. Comprises
Explanation: Comprises is again used to describe the combination of separate parts that make up a single whole. In this case, the software package is a single entity that is comprised of two programs. Thus, the sentence should read The software package comprises two programs.
6. Comprised
Explanation: Comprised is the past tense form of the verb comprise. In this case, the team is a single entity that is comprised of four players from different countries. Thus, the sentence should read His team comprised four players from different countries.
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List of Commonly Confused Words
Finding your way around the English language can be hard, especially since there are so many confusing words and rules. So, a list of the most confusing words in English is an extremely useful tool for improving language accuracy and sharing the ideas clearly.