What's the Difference Between 'Comprised of' and 'Consists of'?

In this blog post we look at when to use comprised of and when to use consists of.

'Comprised of' or 'Consists of'?

“Comprised of” and “consists of” are two phrases that are often used to describe the makeup or components of something. However, they have slightly different meanings.

Comprised of means to be made up or composed of something.

It suggests that the thing being described is made up of several parts or elements that combine to form a whole.

Consists of means to be made up or composed of something.

It suggests that the thing being described is made up of several parts or elements that are necessary for its existence or functioning.

So, while both phrases describe the makeup or components of something, comprised of suggests that the thing being described is made up of several parts or elements that combine to form a whole, while consists of suggests that the thing being described is made up of several parts or elements that are necessary for its existence or functioning.

Here are some examples to illustrate the difference between comprised of and consists of:

  • "The sandwich was comprised of bread, cheese, and lettuce." (In this sentence, comprised of suggests that the sandwich was made up of these three ingredients, which combined to form a whole.)

  • "The computer consists of a processor, memory, and a hard drive." (In this sentence, consists of suggests that the computer is made up of these three components, which are necessary for its functioning.)

  • The team is comprised of twelve players. (Here, the team is made up of twelve players.)

  • The meal was comprised of several different dishes. (Here, the meal was made up of several different dishes.)

  • The computer consists of a monitor, a keyboard, and a mouse. (Here, the computer is made up of these three parts, which are necessary for its functioning.)

  • The orchestra consists of string, woodwind, and brass instruments. (Here, the orchestra is made up of these three types of instruments, which are necessary for its functioning.)

Examples of Comprised of in a Sentence

Here are ten sentences using the phrase "comprised of":

  1. The new team was comprised of experienced professionals from various industries.

  2. The exhibit at the museum was comprised of ancient artifacts from different civilizations.

  3. The board of directors was comprised of executives from the top companies in the industry.

  4. The dish I ordered was comprised of a variety of vegetables and spices.

  5. The research study was comprised of data collected from over 1,000 participants.

  6. The orchestra was comprised of talented musicians from all over the world.

  7. The committee was comprised of representatives from different departments within the organization.

  8. The menu at the restaurant was comprised of dishes from different regions of the country.

  9. The team's strategy was comprised of several different tactics that they had been practicing.

  10. The training program was comprised of lectures, interactive workshops, and hands-on exercises.

Examples of Consists of in a Sentence

Here are ten sentences using the phrase "consists of":

  1. The computer consists of a monitor, a keyboard, and a mouse.

  2. The orchestra consists of string, woodwind, and brass instruments.

  3. The company consists of several different departments.

  4. The meal consists of a main course and two sides.

  5. The team consists of players from different positions.

  6. The concert consists of songs from the band's latest album.

  7. The menu consists of dishes from different regions of the world.

  8. The class consists of students from different majors.

  9. The building consists of offices, conference rooms, and a lobby.

  10. The exhibit consists of artifacts from ancient civilizations.


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Comprised of or Consists of
Comprised of or Consists of