Comprise vs Consist: When And How Can You Use Each One?

Have you ever found yourself questioning whether to use “comprise” or “consist” in your writing? These two words are often used interchangeably, but they actually have distinct meanings.

Comprise means to include or contain, while consist means to be made up of or composed of. For example, a cake comprises flour, sugar, eggs, and butter, while a cake consists of those same ingredients.

It’s important to use the correct word in order to convey your intended meaning accurately. In this article, we’ll explore the differences between comprise and consist, and provide examples of how to use them correctly in your writing.

Define Comprise

Comprise is a verb that means to include or contain. It is often used to describe a whole that is made up of different parts or elements. For example, a sentence can comprise of words, a team can comprise of players, and a book can comprise of chapters.

Define Consist

Consist is also a verb that means to be made up of or composed of. It is often used to describe the essential or inherent parts or components of something. For example, a team can consist of players, a book can consist of chapters, and a sentence can consist of words.

While both comprise and consist are used to describe the composition or makeup of something, they are not interchangeable. The main difference between the two is that comprise is used to describe the whole that is made up of different parts, while consist is used to describe the parts or components that make up the whole.

How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence

When it comes to grammar, certain words can be tricky to use correctly. Two such words are “comprise” and “consist.” While they may seem interchangeable, they actually have distinct meanings and should be used in specific ways. In this article, we’ll explore how to use these words properly in a sentence.

How To Use “Comprise” In A Sentence

The word “comprise” means to include or contain, and it is used to describe a whole made up of smaller parts. When using “comprise” in a sentence, it is important to remember that the whole is made up of the parts, not the other way around. For example:

• Correct: The United States comprises fifty states.
• Incorrect: Fifty states comprise the United States.

Another common mistake when using “comprise” is to use “of” after it. However, “comprise” already includes the meaning of “of,” so it is unnecessary. For example:

• Correct: The cake is comprised of flour, sugar, and eggs.
• Incorrect: The cake is comprised of flour, sugar, and eggs.

How To Use “Consist” In A Sentence

The word “consist” means to be made up of or composed of, and it is used to describe what something is made of. When using “consist” in a sentence, it is important to remember that the parts make up the whole. For example:

• Correct: The cake consists of flour, sugar, and eggs.
• Incorrect: Flour, sugar, and eggs consist the cake.

Another common mistake when using “consist” is to use “of” before it. However, “consist” already includes the meaning of “of,” so it is unnecessary. For example:

• Correct: The United States consists of fifty states.
• Incorrect: The United States consists fifty states.

By keeping these rules in mind, you can use “comprise” and “consist” correctly in your writing and avoid common mistakes.

More Examples Of Comprise & Consist Used In Sentences

In order to fully understand the difference between “comprise” and “consist”, it’s helpful to see these words used in context. Here are some examples of how each word can be used in a sentence:

Examples Of Using “Comprise” In A Sentence:

• The United States comprises 50 states.
• My lunch comprises a sandwich, an apple, and a bottle of water.
• The committee is comprised of five members.
• The cake recipe comprises flour, sugar, eggs, and butter.
• The anthology comprises 20 short stories.
• The test comprises multiple choice and essay questions.
• Our team comprises players from all over the world.
• The project will comprise three phases.
• The book comprises 500 pages.
• The festival will comprise music, dance, and food.

Examples Of Using “Consist” In A Sentence:

• The salad consists of lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumbers.
• Her argument consists of three main points.
• The population of the town consists mostly of retirees.
• The painting consists of bold, bright colors.
• The team consists of 11 players.
• The novel consists of three parts.
• The evidence consists of DNA samples and fingerprints.
• The recipe consists of flour, sugar, eggs, and milk.
• His wardrobe consists mostly of black and white clothing.
• The report consists of charts and graphs.

By examining these examples, it becomes clear that “comprise” is used to indicate the parts that make up a whole, while “consist” is used to indicate what something is made of or composed of. Keeping this distinction in mind can help you use these words correctly in your own writing.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

When it comes to using the words “comprise” and “consist,” many people tend to confuse the two and use them interchangeably. However, this is a common mistake that can lead to confusion and misinterpretation of the intended meaning. In this section, we will highlight some of the common mistakes people make when using these words and offer tips on how to avoid making these mistakes in the future.

Using “Comprise” And “Consist” Interchangeably

One of the most common mistakes people make when using “comprise” and “consist” is using them interchangeably. While these two words are similar in meaning, they are not interchangeable, and using them as such can lead to confusion and grammatical errors.

When using “comprise,” it means to include or contain something. For example, “The team comprises five members.” On the other hand, “consist” means to be composed or made up of something. For example, “The team consists of five members.”

Another common mistake people make is using “comprise of” instead of “comprise.” For example, “The team comprises of five members.” This is incorrect because “comprise” already means “to include,” so adding “of” at the end is redundant and unnecessary.

Tips For Avoiding These Mistakes

To avoid these common mistakes, it is essential to understand the difference between “comprise” and “consist” and how to use them correctly. Here are some tips to help you avoid these mistakes:

• Remember that “comprise” means “to include” and “consist” means “to be composed of.”
• Avoid using “comprise of” and instead, use “comprise.”
• Double-check your writing to ensure you have used the correct word.
• Practice using these words in context to improve your understanding of their meanings.

Context Matters

When it comes to choosing between the words “comprise” and “consist,” context is key. While the two words are often used interchangeably, there are subtle differences in their meanings that can affect their usage in different contexts.

Comprise

The word “comprise” is typically used to indicate that something is made up of several different parts or components. In this context, “comprise” is often followed by the word “of.” For example:

• The team comprises five members.
• The book comprises three chapters.
• The United States comprises 50 states.

It’s important to note that when using “comprise,” the whole is made up of the parts, not the other way around. For example, it would be incorrect to say “The five members comprise the team.”

Consist

The word “consist” is typically used to indicate that something is composed or made up of certain elements. In this context, “consist” is often followed by the word “of” as well. For example:

• The salad consists of lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumbers.
• The committee consists of five members.
• The atmosphere consists of nitrogen, oxygen, and other gases.

Unlike “comprise,” when using “consist,” the parts are made up of the whole. For example, it would be incorrect to say “Lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumbers consist the salad.”

Context Matters

As mentioned earlier, the choice between “comprise” and “consist” can depend on the context in which they are used. For example:

Context	Correct Usage	Incorrect Usage
A team	The team comprises five members.	The team consists five members.
A salad	The salad consists of lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumbers.	The salad comprises lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumbers.
A country	The United States comprises 50 states.	The United States consists 50 states.

As you can see from the examples above, the choice between “comprise” and “consist” can depend on the specific context in which they are used. By understanding the subtle differences between the two words, you can ensure that you are using the correct word in each situation.

Exceptions To The Rules

While the rules for using “comprise” and “consist” are generally straightforward, there are a few exceptions where they might not apply. Here are some examples:

1. Collective Nouns

When a noun is a collective term for a group of individuals, it can be treated as either singular or plural. In these cases, “comprise” and “consist” can be used interchangeably:

• The committee comprises five members.
• The committee consists of five members.
• The team is comprised of five players.
• The team consists of five players.

2. Passive Voice

In passive voice constructions, “comprise” and “consist” can be used interchangeably:

• The cake is comprised of flour, sugar, and eggs.
• The cake consists of flour, sugar, and eggs.

3. Infinitives

When used with infinitives, “comprise” and “consist” can be used interchangeably:

• The recipe comprises to mix flour, sugar, and eggs.
• The recipe consists of mixing flour, sugar, and eggs.

It’s important to note, however, that some language experts consider the use of “comprise” with infinitives to be nonstandard or even incorrect.

Practice Exercises

Now that we have covered the differences between comprise and consist, it’s time to put our knowledge to the test. Here are some practice exercises that will help you improve your understanding and use of these words in sentences:

Exercise 1

Choose the correct word to complete the sentence:

1. The committee __________ of ten members.
2. The team ___________ of several new players.
3. The pie ___________ of a crust, filling, and topping.
4. The United States ___________ of fifty states.

Answer key:

1. consists
2. comprises
3. consists
4. comprises

Explanation: In sentence 1 and 3, we use “consists” because we are talking about a singular entity made up of smaller parts. In sentence 2 and 4, we use “comprises” because we are talking about a group made up of individual members or parts.

Exercise 2

Fill in the blanks with the correct form of comprise or consist:

1. The bookshelf ___________ of three shelves and two brackets.
2. The jury ___________ of twelve people.
3. The menu ___________ of appetizers, entrees, and desserts.
4. The orchestra ___________ of violins, cellos, and trumpets.

Answer key:

1. comprises
2. consists
3. consists
4. comprises

Explanation: In sentence 1 and 4, we use “comprises” because we are talking about a whole made up of smaller parts. In sentence 2 and 3, we use “consists” because we are talking about a singular entity made up of individual members or parts.

By practicing these exercises, you will become more confident in your ability to use comprise and consist correctly in your writing. Keep in mind the differences between these two words and pay attention to the context in which they are used. With time and practice, you’ll be a pro at using these words in no time!

Conclusion

In conclusion, the proper use of “comprise” and “consist” is essential for effective communication. Here are the key takeaways from this article:

• Comprise means “to include” or “to contain,” while consist means “to be composed of.”
• Comprise is used in the active voice, while consist is used in the passive voice.
• Comprise is followed by the whole and consist is followed by the parts.
• Both words are often misused, so it’s important to double-check their usage in your writing.

As you continue to learn about grammar and language use, remember to pay close attention to the nuances of words like “comprise” and “consist.” By mastering these subtleties, you can elevate your writing and communicate more effectively with your audience.