Compose and comprise both describe how parts relate to a whole, but they point in opposite directions, and comprise is one of the most misused verbs in English.
Compose means the parts make up the whole. The smaller pieces come first, and together they form the bigger thing.
compose full definition →
Comprise means the whole contains the parts. The bigger thing comes first, and it comprises, or includes, the smaller pieces.
comprise full definition →
| compose | comprise | |
|---|---|---|
| Direction | Parts to whole | Whole to parts |
| Common error | — | "is comprised of" is technically incorrect |
| Simple test | "Twelve players compose the team" | "The team comprises twelve players" |
The parts compose the whole. The whole comprises the parts. Strictly speaking, avoid "comprised of," since comprise already means "made up of" on its own.
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