Cool MateComprise vs Include
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Comprise
Include
| Comprise | Include | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/kəmˈpraɪz/","/kəmˈpraɪzɪz/","/kəmˈpraɪzd/","/kəmˈpraɪzɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/kəmˈpraɪz/","/kəmˈpraɪzɪz/","/kəmˈpraɪzd/","/kəmˈpraɪzɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪnˈkluːd/","/ɪnˈkluːdz/","/ɪnˈkluːdɪd/","/ɪnˈkluːdɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪnˈkluːd/","/ɪnˈkluːdz/","/ɪnˈkluːdɪd/","/ɪnˈkluːdɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | to be made up of or include something. | to have something as part of a group or whole |
| Example | The collection comprises 327 paintings. | You should include your contact information in the application. |
| Register | Formal | Neutral |
| How common | Beyond 10,000 (less common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | A1 |
| Part of speech | verb | verb |
| Collocations | comprise a majority, comprise several elements, comprise the group, comprise components, comprise various aspects | include in a list, include as part, include among |
| Antonyms | exclude, omit, leave out | exclude, omit, leave out |
| Common mistakes | Using 'comprised of' instead of 'comprise'., Confusing with 'compose' and its structure., Incorrectly using it in informal contexts. | Confused with 'exclude' and use the wrong word., Omitting the object after 'include'., Using 'include' incorrectly in negative sentences. |
| Usage notes | Often used in academic or formal contexts. Use 'comprise' to indicate the whole that consists of parts. Avoid using it interchangeably with 'compose' which has a different grammatical structure. | Use 'include' to specify that something is part of a larger list or group. Avoid using it when talking about things that are not part of that list. |
Frequently asked questions: Comprise vs Include
What's the difference between Comprise and Include?
Comprise: to be made up of or include something. Include: to have something as part of a group or whole
Which is more formal: Comprise and Include?
Comprise is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Comprise and Include?
Include is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Comprise and Include?
Comprise is the highest level, at B2, on the CEFR scale.
Are Comprise and Include the same CEFR level?
Comprise: B2, Include: A1 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Comprise and Include?
Comprise: verb, Include: verb.
Can you show an example of each?
Comprise: The collection comprises 327 paintings. Include: You should include your contact information in the application.
Can I use Comprise and Include interchangeably?
Not always. Comprise and Include are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.