Comprise vs. Constitute

Attribute	Comprise	Constitute
Definition	Consists of, includes, or contains	Forms an essential part of, makes up, or is a component of
Usage	Often used to describe a whole made up of several parts	Often used to describe the essential components of something
Relationship	Parts make up the whole	Components are essential to the whole
Emphasis	Focuses on the parts that make up the whole	Focuses on the essential components that form something

Definition

Comprise and constitute are two words that are often used interchangeably, but they actually have distinct meanings. Comprise means to include or contain, while constitute means to form or make up. Understanding the differences between these two words can help you use them correctly in your writing.

Usage

Comprise is typically used in a sentence where the whole is made up of its parts. For example, "The team comprises five members." In this sentence, the team is made up of five members. On the other hand, constitute is used when talking about the parts that make up the whole. For example, "The five members constitute the team." In this sentence, the five members form the team.

Structure

Comprise is often followed by the whole, while constitute is followed by the parts. For example, "The United States comprises fifty states." In this sentence, the United States is the whole that includes fifty states. On the other hand, "Fifty states constitute the United States." In this sentence, the fifty states are the parts that make up the United States.

Subject-Verb Agreement

When using comprise, the verb should agree with the whole, not the parts. For example, "The team comprises five members." In this sentence, comprises agrees with team, the whole. On the other hand, when using constitute, the verb should agree with the parts, not the whole. For example, "The five members constitute the team." In this sentence, constitute agrees with members, the parts.

Common Mistakes

One common mistake is using comprise with the parts instead of the whole. For example, saying "The team is comprised of five members" is incorrect. The correct usage would be "The team comprises five members." Another common mistake is using constitute with the whole instead of the parts. For example, saying "The five members constitute of the team" is incorrect. The correct usage would be "The five members constitute the team."

Examples

• Correct: The committee comprises representatives from each department.
• Incorrect: The committee is comprised of representatives from each department.
• Correct: Representatives from each department constitute the committee.
• Incorrect: Representatives from each department constitute of the committee.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while comprise and constitute are often used interchangeably, they have distinct meanings and should be used correctly in writing. Comprise is used when talking about the whole that includes its parts, while constitute is used when talking about the parts that make up the whole. Understanding the differences between these two words can help improve the clarity and accuracy of your writing.