Comprised Of – How To Spell It & The Correct Preposition

11.19.2023 3min Spelling mistakes
Updated on 02.13.2025

Comprised-of-01

Learning how to spell English words can be a challenging task for students, especially when it comes to certain words. This can be due to differences in spelling compared to similar words in other languages, or inconsistencies in pronunciation. One of the most common spelling mistakes is with the phrase β€œcomprised of”. In this guide, we will provide a detailed overview of how to spell this phrase correctly, along with some sample sentences.

The correct spelling of β€œcomprised of”

The word β€œcomprise” is a verb. It’s used to indicate the inclusion or combination of parts or elements to form a whole. When using β€œcomprise”, you are describing the relationship between the entire and its constituent parts. Another word for β€œcomprise” is β€œto be made up of” or β€œcomposed of”.

Correct spelling

comprise

Incorrect spelling

comprised of

β€œComprised of” is a common phrase used in everyday language, which is why many people say it should be treated as standard English. However, most style guides and language purists argue that β€œcomprised of” is incorrect, as they suggest that β€œcomprise” should not be followed by β€œof”. This is because β€œcomprise” in the passive voice already means the same thing it expresses in the active voice. In summary, use β€œcomprise” without the preposition β€œof” in academic writing to avoid any potential mistakes. For everyday speech, you can continue using β€œcomprised of” if you’ve already established it in your language.

Examples

  • The team comprises five members.
  • His lunch comprised broccoli, rice, and tofu.
  • The orchestra comprises talented musicians from around the world.

If you are unsure, use β€œcomprise” without β€œof” to be on the safe side. Instead of making the mistake and pairing the verb β€œcomprise” with a preposition, you can use multiple synonyms for the word that do use β€œof”. Here are a few examples.

Examples: Replacing β€œcomprised of” with synonyms

  • Wrong:Β The committee is comprised of experts in various fields.
  • Correct:Β The committee is composed of experts in various fields.
  • Correct:Β The committee consists of experts in various fields.
  • Correct:Β The committee is made up of experts in various fields.
  • Correct:Β The committee is formed by experts in various fields.

FAQs

You use β€œcomprised” in a sentence to describe the parts or elements that make up a whole.

Example

  • The team comprises five members.

No, β€œcomprised of” may be a commonly used phrase in everyday speech. However, it has not been added to standard English, which is why you should use β€œcomprise” without the preposition or synonyms.

You simply use β€œcomprise” like this:

  • The puzzle comprises 100 pieces.

β€œComprise” is typically not used with a preposition.

While some consider it less precise, β€œcomprised of” is widely accepted and commonly used in contemporary English and everyday speech, so it is not universally considered grammatically incorrect. However, it is a matter of style and preference, and some grammar purists prefer not to use β€œcomprised of” and instead use β€œcomposed of” or β€œconsisting of” for formal writing. It has not been implemented in standard English, which is why β€œcomprised” should be used without the β€œof”.

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By
Viktoria Kwiatkowski
 
About the author

Viktoria is currently on her path towards a bachelor’s degree in Intercultural Management. Her academic journey is complemented by her role at BachelorPrint, where she excels as a writer committed to simplifying complex topics for students. What sets Viktoria apart is her linguistic versatility, effortlessly transitioning between English and German. Through her bilingual expertise, she opens doors to knowledge for students, transcending language barriers.

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Bibliography
Kwiatkowski, V. (2023, November 19). Comprised Of – How To Spell It & The Correct Preposition. BachelorPrint. https://www.bachelorprint.com/spelling-mistakes/comprised-of/ (retrieved 11.10.2026)
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(Kwiatkowski , 2023)
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Kwiatkowski (2023)
Bibliography
Kwiatkowski, Viktoria. 2023. "Comprised Of – How To Spell It & The Correct Preposition." BachelorPrint, Retrieved November 10, 2026. https://www.bachelorprint.com/spelling-mistakes/comprised-of/.
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(Kwiatkowski 2023)
Bibliography
Viktoria Kwiatkowski, "Comprised Of – How To Spell It & The Correct Preposition," BachelorPrint, November 19, 2023, https://www.bachelorprint.com/spelling-mistakes/comprised-of/ (retrieved November 10, 2026).
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Kwiatkowski, "Shortened title."
Bibliography
Kwiatkowski, Viktoria: Comprised Of – How To Spell It & The Correct Preposition, in: BachelorPrint, 11.19.2023, [online] https://www.bachelorprint.com/spelling-mistakes/comprised-of/ (retrieved 11.10.2026).
Footnotes
Full note
Kwiatkowski, Viktoria: Comprised Of – How To Spell It & The Correct Preposition, in: BachelorPrint, 11.19.2023, [online] https://www.bachelorprint.com/spelling-mistakes/comprised-of/ (retrieved 11.10.2026).
Direct quote
Kwiatkowski, 2023.
Indirect quote
Kwiatkowski, 2023.
Bibliography
Kwiatkowski, Viktoria (2023): Comprised Of – How To Spell It & The Correct Preposition, in: BachelorPrint, [online] https://www.bachelorprint.com/spelling-mistakes/comprised-of/ (retrieved 11.10.2026).
In-text citation
Direct quote
(Kwiatkowski, 2023)
Indirect quote
(Kwiatkowski, 2023)
Narrative
Kwiatkowski (2023)
Bibliography
Kwiatkowski, Viktoria. "Comprised Of – How To Spell It & The Correct Preposition." BachelorPrint, 11.19.2023, https://www.bachelorprint.com/spelling-mistakes/comprised-of/ (retrieved 11.10.2026).
In-text citation
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(Kwiatkowski)
Narrative
Kwiatkowski
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Number. Kwiatkowski V. Comprised Of – How To Spell It & The Correct Preposition [Internet]. BachelorPrint. 2023 [cited 11.10.2026]. Available from: https://www.bachelorprint.com/spelling-mistakes/comprised-of/


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