Compose vs. Comprise: Difference and Comparison
Edited by Muazma Batool — By Muneeza Rehman — Updated on October 7, 2023
"Compose" means to form or make up a whole, while "comprise" means to consist of or be made up of.
Difference Between Compose and Comprise
"Compose" and "comprise" are often used interchangeably, but they serve distinct grammatical roles. "Compose" refers to the act of creating something or combining different elements to form a whole. For instance, a song can be composed of lyrics and melody. On the other hand, "comprise" highlights the entirety or the whole that different parts contribute to. A country might comprise multiple states or provinces.
Muneeza Rehman
Oct 05, 2023
A simple way to differentiate is by considering direction. When using "compose," the smaller parts are highlighted as they come together to form a larger entity. Conversely, "comprise" typically begins with the whole and then lists out its constituents. An orchestra is composed of various instruments, but we could also say an orchestra comprises strings, brass, percussion, and woodwinds.
Muazma Batool
Oct 05, 2023
In structure, when using "compose," the whole usually follows the parts. In the phrase "letters compose words," words (the whole) come after letters (the parts). With "comprise," it's the opposite: the whole typically precedes its parts. In "a book comprises chapters," the book (the whole) comes before chapters (the parts).
Muneeza Rehman
Oct 05, 2023
Another nuance is that "comprised of" is considered grammatically incorrect by some language purists, even though it's commonly used. "Comprise" should encompass the entire idea without needing "of." For instance, "The team comprises ten members" is preferred over "The team is comprised of ten members."
Muneeza Rehman
Oct 05, 2023
Compose vs. Comprise Comparison Chart
Grammatical Usage
Whole usually follows the parts
Whole usually precedes its parts
Muazma Batool
Oct 05, 2023
Compose vs. Comprise Definitions
◉Compose
To be the parts that form something.
Various ingredients compose the recipe.
Olivia
Sep 26, 2023
◉Comprise
To include or contain as part of a whole.
The collection comprises rare artifacts.
Olivia
Sep 26, 2023
◉Compose
To arrange or order in a sequence.
The photographer asked the group to compose themselves for the picture.
Olivia
Sep 26, 2023
◉Comprise
To consist of; to be made up of.
The anthology comprises ten short stories.
William
Sep 26, 2023
◉Compose
To constitute or make up a larger whole.
Fifty states compose the United States.
Leo
Sep 26, 2023
◉Compose
To make up the constituent parts of; constitute or form
an exhibit composed of French paintings.
the many ethnic groups that compose our nation. See Usage Note at comprise.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023
◉Comprise
To be composed or constituted.
The team comprises members from different countries.
Elijah
Sep 26, 2023
◉Comprise
To be composed of or contain
The staff comprises eight physicians, two dozen nurses, and various administrative people.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023
◉Comprise
Usage Problem To compose; make up; constitute
the countries and territories that comprised the British Empire.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023
◉Compose
To make (oneself) calm or tranquil
Compose yourself and deal with the problems logically.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023
◉Comprise
(transitive) To be made up of; to consist of (especially a comprehensive list of parts).
The whole comprises the parts.
The parts are comprised by the whole.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023
◉Compose
To settle or adjust; reconcile
They managed to compose their differences.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023
◉Comprise
To compose; to constitute.In the passive voice, the use of of with comprise (is/are comprised of) may be regarded as tautological because the same meaning can be expressed in the active (comprises) without of, or with composed of, which is both synonymous and non-tautological (since compose in this sense always requires of).
The whole is comprised of the parts.
The parts comprise the whole.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023
◉Comprise
To contain or embrace.
Our committee comprises a president, secretary, treasurer and five other members.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023
◉Comprise
(patent law) To include, contain, or be made up of, defining the minimum elements, whether essential or inessential to define an invention.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023
◉Comprise
To comprehend; to include.
Comprise much matter in few words.
Friendship does two souls in one comprise.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023
◉Comprise
be composed of;
The land he conquered comprised several provinces
What does this dish consist of?
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023
◉Compose
(transitive) To make something by merging parts.
The editor composed a historical journal from many individual letters.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023
◉Comprise
include or contain; have as a component;
A totally new idea is comprised in this paper
The record contains many old songs from the 1930's
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023
◉Compose
(transitive) To make up the whole; to constitute.
A church is composed of its members.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023
◉Comprise
form or compose;
This money is my only income
The stone wall was the backdrop for the performance
These constitute my entire belonging
The children made up the chorus
This sum represents my entire income for a year
These few men comprise his entire army
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023
◉Comprise
To constitute the entirety of something.
Five boroughs comprise New York City.
Muazma Batool
Sep 26, 2023
◉Compose
To construct by mental labor; to think up; particularly, to produce or create a literary or musical work.
The orator composed his speech over the week prior.
Nine numbered symphonies, including the Fifth, were composed by Beethoven.
It's difficult to compose without absolute silence.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023
◉Compose
To calm; to free from agitation.
Try to compose your thoughts.
The defendant couldn't compose herself and was found in contempt.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023
◉Compose
To arrange in proper form; to reduce to order; to put in proper state or condition.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023
◉Compose
To form by putting together two or more things or parts; to put together; to make up; to fashion.
Zeal ought to be composed of the highest degrees of all pious affection.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023
◉Compose
To form the substance of, or part of the substance of; to constitute.
Their borrowed gold composedThe calf in Oreb.
A few useful things . . . compose their intellectual possessions.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023
◉Compose
To construct by mental labor; to design and execute, or put together, in a manner involving the adaptation of forms of expression to ideas, or to the laws of harmony or proportion; as, to compose a sentence, a sermon, a symphony, or a picture.
Let me composeSomething in verse as well as prose.
The genius that composed such works as the "Standard" and "Last Supper".
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023
◉Compose
To dispose in proper form; to reduce to order; to put in proper state or condition; to adjust; to regulate.
In a peaceful grave my corpse compose.
How in safety best we mayCompose our present evils.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023
◉Compose
To free from agitation or disturbance; to tranquilize; to soothe; to calm; to quiet.
Compose thy mind;Nor frauds are here contrived, nor force designed.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023
◉Compose
To arrange (types) in a composing stick in order for printing; to set (type).
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023
◉Compose
calm (someone, especially oneself); make quiet;
She had to compose herself before she could reply to this terrible insult
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023
◉Compose
To create or produce (music, art, or writing).
Mozart began to compose music at a young age.
Muazma Batool
Sep 26, 2023
◉Compose
To calm or settle oneself.
After the shock, he took a moment to compose himself.
Leo
Sep 26, 2023
Compose vs. Comprise Frequently Asked Questions
Is "comprised of" correct?
Though common, "comprised of" is considered incorrect by some. It's safer to use "comprises."
Muazma Batool
Oct 05, 2023
Which is more about creation, compose or comprise?
Compose is more about the act of creating something.
William
Oct 05, 2023
If I say "letters comprise words," is that right?
The more standard phrasing would be "words are composed of letters."
Henry
Oct 05, 2023
Is it okay to use "comprise" and "consist of" interchangeably?
Often, but "consist of" doesn't always capture the encompassing sense of "comprise."
Muneeza Rehman
Oct 05, 2023
Is "made up of" a good synonym for both words?
It's closer to "composed of" but can be used in place of "comprised" in some contexts.
Muneeza Rehman
Oct 05, 2023
Can "compose" refer to calming oneself?
Yes, in contexts like "compose oneself" it means to calm or settle.
William
Oct 05, 2023
How are compose and comprise different?
Compose focuses on parts that form a whole, while comprise highlights the whole and its parts.
Muneeza Rehman
Oct 05, 2023
Can you say a song is comprised of lyrics and melody?
It's more accurate to say a song "is composed of" lyrics and melody.
Muneeza Rehman
Oct 05, 2023
Do "compose" and "comprise" have similar origins?
Both derive from Latin but have evolved in English with distinct meanings.
Olivia
Oct 05, 2023
Which is more forward-focused, compose or comprise?
Compose, as it often deals with creation or formation.
Muneeza Rehman
Oct 05, 2023
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Written by
Muneeza RehmanAt Comparisons.wiki, Muneeza skillfully navigates the vast sea of information, ensuring clarity and accuracy as the lead content editor. With a keen eye for detail, she curates every comparison to enlighten and engage readers.
Edited by
Muazma BatoolAs a content editor, Muazma Batool is not just a grammar guru but a creative mastermind who breathes life into every word. With an eagle eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, she transforms bland text into engaging content that captivates audiences and drives results.
