Chances Are You Are Using the Word “compromise” Incorrectly
After lovingly explaining the difference between “who” and “who,” a dear reader realized that I was participating in a woman’s crusade to cleanse our world of all your terrible grammar. A person I only know as “Fabian Noquurst” came to me with a request “to do to compose the next one,” and I am happy to help.
This is especially good, because improper use of the word “comprise” is now so common that, probably, so close to becoming accepted. So let’s take a look at this Hail Mary pass – one last desperate attempt to get you guys to use the word you really mean. That is: “compose”.
Comprise is a verb that means to consist of, to be composed of, or to consist of. To check if you are using it correctly, replace “includes” with “consists of” or “includes”.
Example: a team consists of players of all skill levels. (The team consists of players of all skill levels.)
However, the team does not consist of players of all skill levels. No, the team consists of players of all skill levels. To make up is a verb that means to make up. I know I know; so close. But not the same. The parts make up the whole; the whole is made up of parts.
Look, if all else fails, just remember that “consists of” is never going to be right. Grammar Girl puts it this way:
Just as you cannot say, “The house has seven rooms,” you cannot say, “The house has seven rooms.” You must say, “There are seven rooms in the house.”
Or just stick to the phrase “consists of.” I will not judge.