Comprise — C2 Vocabulary
To consist of or contain. The WHOLE comprises its parts.
Quick Answer
Comprise means to consist of or contain. The whole comprises the parts. The orchestra comprises eighty musicians. The book comprises three chapters. Picture one big container holding many smaller items.
Example: The orchestra comprises eighty musicians.
Comprise in 3 Sentences
Read these three sentences. Notice how comprise is used:
- The orchestra comprises eighty musicians. (orchestra = whole; musicians = parts)
- The European Union comprises twenty-seven member states. (EU = whole; states = parts)
- The book comprises three short stories and an epilogue. (book = whole; stories = parts)
A Quick Tip About COMPRISE
Comprise always starts the sentence with the whole. Its sister verb compose goes the other way — it starts with the parts. “The committee comprises twelve members.” “Twelve members compose the committee.” Same fact, opposite direction.
Saying “is comprised of”
✗ The team is comprised of ten players.
✓ The team comprises ten players. (or: is composed of)
Easy way to remember: Comprise = whole Contains (parts inside). The WHOLE comes first in the sentence, then the verb comprises, then the parts inside it. Picture a box with smaller items inside.
Practice all C2 Confusing Pairs
Now practise comprise together with the other words in this topic. Use Study, Practice, Flashcards, and Review.
C2 Confusing Word Pairs
Master the C2 verb pairs that confuse even editors. Each lesson focuses on one verb so you can listen, study with flashcards, and quiz yourself.
Study Cards
Read the word, look at the picture, and say the example sentence.
Quick Practice
Choose the word that completes the sentence.
1 of 2
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Flashcards
Look at the picture first, then tap the card to check the word.
Spaced Review
Review cards today, then let the queue bring them back later.
Test Yourself: Comprise
Choose the correct answer for each sentence. Click Check to see if you are right.
1. The novel ______ three parts and an epilogue.
2. Which sentence would careful editors prefer?
3. The European Union ______ twenty-seven member states.
4. Which sentence starts with the whole and uses the verb correctly?
5. Our team ______ people from six countries.
Other C2 Confusing Pairs to Learn
Pick another word from this lesson — small steps add up fast.
Keep Going — One Word, Many Wins
You just learned comprise — the verb that starts with the whole. You can now spot “is comprised of” in the wild and quietly know what’s wrong with it.
Want to lock in the mirror image? The verb that does the same job from the opposite direction — starting with the parts and building up to the whole. Same idea, reversed.
Next lesson: Compose — C2 Vocabulary
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