RE: Comprise vs Consists Of ?

["Robart, Kay" <Kay -dot- Robart -at- tea -dot- state -dot- tx -dot- us>]

Here's what my old standby, Words Into Type, an ancient book but still
very useful, says in the "Use of Words" section about comprise, compose,
constitute, and consist of:

 

Comprise: to contain, embrace ("That state comprises sixteen counties");
do not use is comprised of. Compose and constitute are used in an
opposite manner, for the parts that make up the whole ("Together, the
counties compose--constitute--a state"). Consist of: to be made up of,
composed of (The state's highway system consists of two expressways and
a number of turnpikes and parkways.").

 

If you think of comprise as meaning to contain, it's easier to keep them
straight.

 

Kay

 

-----Original Message-----
From: techwr-l-bounces+kay -dot- robart=tea -dot- state -dot- tx -dot- us -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
[mailto:techwr-l-bounces+kay -dot- robart=tea -dot- state -dot- tx -dot- us -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com]
On Behalf Of Greg Brown
Sent: Wednesday, September 28, 2011 5:59 AM
To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Subject: Comprise vs Consists Of ?

 

Hi,

 

Raised this one with my team as I thought that it was being used
incorrectly in a few places in our materials.

I understand that 'Comprise' should be used when you are describing that
'the individual parts comprise the whole' and 'Consists of' in the
situation that 'the whole consists of the parts'.

Am I correct there?

A discussion on this and there still wasn't clear consensus in the
group.

Additionally, is it plain English anyway and would you try and avoid
them completely?

 

Cheers,

Greg

 

 

Greg Brown - TCT Manager

Pronto Software Pty Ltd

20 Lakeside Drive, Burwood East, VIC 3151, Australia

Phone: +61 3 9887 7770 | Email: greg -dot- brown -at- pronto -dot- com -dot- au

Mobile: +61 409 936 378

www.pronto.com.au

 

 

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