Mistake: Comprise vs Compose

The whole comprises the parts.

Examples

• The team comprises ten players.

Key rules

• Comprise means include or consist of: the whole comprises the parts
• Compose means to make up: the parts compose the whole
• The passive form is composed of, not comprised of

Common mistakes

• The team is comprised of ten players → The team comprises ten players
• Ten players comprise the team → The team is composed of ten players

Use cases

• Describing groups
• Academic writing
• Business reports