Definitions
- Describing a whole made up of smaller parts. - Referring to the entirety of something, including all its components. - Talking about a group or collection of things that make up a larger entity.
- Referring to something that holds or has within it. - Describing something that is enclosed or surrounded by something else. - Talking about a space or area that is filled with something.
List of Similarities
- 1Both words describe something that includes other things.
- 2Both words refer to the relationship between a whole and its parts.
- 3Both words can be used to describe physical objects or abstract concepts.
- 4Both words are commonly used in academic writing and formal contexts.
- 5Both words can be used to describe the contents of something.
What is the difference?
- 1Usage: Comprise is typically used to describe the whole made up of smaller parts, while contain is used to describe something that holds or has within it.
- 2Structure: Comprise is often followed by the word 'of' and the individual parts, while contain is followed by the thing being held or enclosed.
- 3Direction: Comprise emphasizes the relationship between the parts and the whole, while contain emphasizes the relationship between the whole and the parts.
- 4Formality: Comprise is considered more formal than contain.
- 5Subject-Verb Agreement: The subject and verb agreement differs between the two words. Comprise takes a plural subject and a singular verb, while contain takes a singular subject and a plural verb.
Remember this!
Comprise and contain are synonyms that describe the relationship between a whole and its parts. However, comprise emphasizes the relationship between the parts and the whole, while contain emphasizes the relationship between the whole and the parts. Additionally, comprise is more formal and is typically followed by 'of' and the individual parts, while contain is used to describe something that holds or has within it.
