Comprised vs. Consist

Attribute	Comprised	Consist
Definition	to be made up of	to be composed or made up of
Usage	often used incorrectly in place of "composed of"	used to describe the components or elements of something
Formality	less formal	more formal
Verb	transitive	intransitive

Definition

Comprised and consist are two words that are often used interchangeably, but they actually have distinct meanings. Comprised means to include or contain, while consist means to be made up of or composed of. Understanding the difference between these two words can help you use them correctly in your writing.

Usage

Comprised is often misused in place of consist, leading to confusion among readers. For example, saying "The team is comprised of five players" is incorrect, as it should be "The team consists of five players." On the other hand, using consist in place of comprised can also lead to awkward phrasing. It's important to use each word in its proper context to ensure clear communication.

Structure

Comprised is typically followed by "of" and the elements that make up the whole. For example, "The book is comprised of three chapters." Consist, on the other hand, is followed by "of" and the elements that make up the whole. For example, "The book consists of three chapters." Understanding the correct structure for each word can help you use them accurately in your writing.

Common Mistakes

One common mistake is using comprised when you mean consist. For example, saying "The committee is comprised of five members" is incorrect, as it should be "The committee consists of five members." Another common mistake is using consist when you mean comprised. For example, saying "The team consists three players" is incorrect, as it should be "The team is comprised of three players." Being aware of these common mistakes can help you avoid them in your writing.

Clarity

Using the correct word can help improve the clarity of your writing. When you use comprised correctly, you are clearly stating that something includes or contains certain elements. When you use consist correctly, you are clearly stating that something is made up of or composed of certain elements. By using these words accurately, you can ensure that your writing is clear and easy to understand.

Examples

Here are some examples to illustrate the difference between comprised and consist:

• The team is comprised of five players. (incorrect)
• The team consists of five players. (correct)
• The book consists three chapters. (incorrect)
• The book is comprised of three chapters. (correct)

Conclusion

Comprised and consist are two words that are often confused, but they have distinct meanings and should be used in their proper contexts. Comprised means to include or contain, while consist means to be made up of or composed of. By understanding the differences between these two words and using them accurately, you can improve the clarity of your writing and avoid common mistakes.