Include vs. Comprise — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 30, 2023
The term "include" suggests that what is being referred to is a necessary but not exhaustive part of the whole, while "comprise" indicates that everything within the whole is accounted for.
Difference Between Include and Comprise
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Include refers to having something as a part, often among others, while comprise denotes encompassing all components of a whole. Both relate to parts of a whole.
Include often implies that there are other components not mentioned, whereas comprise implies completeness. Both words are crucial in detailing components.
Include is used when mentioning specific parts, while comprise generally refers to the whole made up of those parts. Each has a distinct place in description.
In usage, 'include' is followed by the item included, while 'comprise' precedes the items it encompasses. Both are fundamental in explaining compositions.
Include may suggest partiality, while comprise implies totality. Both words, however, contribute to clarity in expression.
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Comparison Chart
Meaning
To contain as part of.
To consist of all parts.
Implication
May suggest other parts exist.
Implies totality.
Usage in Sentences
Followed by the included item.
Precedes the encompassed items.
Suggests
Specificity, partiality.
Completeness, wholeness.
Common Usage Example
"The book includes a chapter."
"The book comprises chapters."
Compare with Definitions
Include
To contain
The menu includes vegetarian options.
Comprise
To be made up of
The bouquet comprises various flowers.
Include
To involve
The project includes several phases.
Comprise
To embody
The book comprises three sections.
Include
To add to a list
Please include your name on the list.
Comprise
To consist of
The committee comprises ten members.
Include
Comprise or contain as part of a whole
Other changes included the abolition of the death penalty
The price includes dinner, bed, and breakfast
Comprise
To form
The colors red, blue, and green comprise the logo.
Include
Make part of a whole or set
We have included some hints for beginners in this section
Comprise
To be composed of or contain
The staff comprises eight physicians, two dozen nurses, and various administrative people.
Include
To contain or take in as a part, element, or member.
Comprise
Usage Problem To compose; make up; constitute
The countries and territories that comprised the British Empire.
Include
To consider as part of or allow into a group or class
Thanked the host for including us.
Comprise
(transitive) To be made up of; to consist of (especially a comprehensive list of parts).
The whole comprises the parts.
The parts are comprised by the whole.
Include
To bring into a group, class, set, or total as a (new) part or member.
I will purchase the vacation package if you will include car rental.
Comprise
To compose; to constitute.In the passive voice, the use of of with comprise (is/are comprised of) may be regarded as tautological because the same meaning can be expressed in the active (comprises) without of, or with composed of, which is both synonymous and non-tautological (since compose in this sense always requires of).
The whole is comprised of the parts.
The parts comprise the whole.
Include
To consider as part of something; to comprehend.
The vacation package includes car rental.
Does this volume of Shakespeare include his sonnets?
I was included in the invitation to the family gathering.
Up to and including page twenty-five
Comprise
To contain or embrace.
Our committee comprises a president, secretary, treasurer and five other members.
Include
(obsolete) To enclose, confine.
Comprise
(patent law) To include, contain, or be made up of, defining the minimum elements, whether essential or inessential to define an invention.
Include
(obsolete) To conclude; to terminate.
Comprise
To comprehend; to include.
Comprise much matter in few words.
Friendship does two souls in one comprise.
Include
(programming) To use a directive that allows the use of source code from another file.
You have to include the strings library to use this function.
Comprise
Be composed of;
The land he conquered comprised several provinces
What does this dish consist of?
Include
(programming) A piece of source code or other content that is dynamically retrieved for inclusion in another item.
Comprise
Include or contain; have as a component;
A totally new idea is comprised in this paper
The record contains many old songs from the 1930's
Include
To confine within; to hold; to contain; to shut up; to inclose; as, the shell of a nut includes the kernel; a pearl is included in a shell.
Comprise
Form or compose;
This money is my only income
The stone wall was the backdrop for the performance
These constitute my entire belonging
The children made up the chorus
This sum represents my entire income for a year
These few men comprise his entire army
Include
To comprehend or comprise, as a genus the species, the whole a part, an argument or reason the inference; to contain; to embrace; as, this volume of Shakespeare includes his sonnets; he was included in the invitation to the family; to and including page twenty-five.
The whole included race, his purposed prey.
The loss of such a lord includes all harm.
Comprise
To constitute
Five boroughs comprise New York City.
Include
To conclude; to end; to terminate.
Come, let us go; we will include all jarsWith triumphs, mirth, and rare solemnity.
Include
Have as a part, be made up out of;
The list includes the names of many famous writers
Include
Consider as part of something;
I include you in the list of culprits
Include
Add as part of something else; put in as part of a set, group, or category;
We must include this chemical element in the group
Include
Allow participation in or the right to be part of; permit to exercise the rights, functions, and responsibilities of;
Admit someone to the profession
She was admitted to the New Jersey Bar
Include
To encompass
The course includes basic concepts.
Include
To consider as part of
The anthology includes famous poets.
Common Curiosities
Can include and comprise be used interchangeably?
Not exactly, as they have distinct implications regarding completeness.
What does include mean?
Include means to contain or consider as a part of something.
How do you use include in a sentence?
"The tour includes visits to historical sites."
What does comprise mean?
Comprise means to consist of or encompass all parts.
Does comprise have synonyms?
Yes, synonyms include "consist of" and "constitute."
Does comprise imply a complete set?
Yes, it usually implies that all parts are accounted for.
Is include used for partial lists?
Yes, it often suggests that other parts or items may exist.
Does include have synonyms?
Yes, synonyms include "contain" and "involve."
Does comprise refer to individual parts?
It refers to the whole made up of individual parts.
How do you use comprise in a sentence?
"The zoo comprises various animal species."
Is it correct to say 'is comprised of'?
Traditionally, "is comprised of" is considered incorrect; "comprises" is preferred.
Is include used for clarity in details?
Yes, it's used to specify certain elements clearly.
What is a common mistake with comprise?
A common mistake is using "comprise" interchangeably with "compose."
Can include suggest additional items?
Yes, it often leaves room for additional items not mentioned.
Can comprise be used for incomplete lists?
No, it typically indicates a complete list or totality.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
