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Debunking "comprised of": why it doesn't add up

Reviewed and edited by Lloyd Cooper 07/10/2024, 07:26
English.me team member

What kind of error is it?

Comprised of or composed of. What's correct?

Usage error

Why do people make this mistake?

People often use "comprised of" mistakenly because it sounds similar to other correct constructions, such as "composed of" or "consisting of". The confusion arises from the similarity in meaning and structure of these phrases. However, "comprise" itself means "to consist of" or "to be composed of", so adding "of" is redundant and incorrect.

What is correct?

Instead of saying "comprised of", use "composed of" or "comprises".

Examples of correct usage

  • The committee comprises five members.
  • The team is composed of ten players.

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