What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
comprise
Example
The book comprises ten chapters. [comprises: verb]
Example
The team is comprised of players from different countries. [comprised: past participle]
encompass
Example
The course encompasses a wide range of topics. [encompasses: verb]
Example
The term 'sustainability' encompasses environmental, social, and economic factors. [encompasses: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Comprise is more commonly used in formal writing, while encompass is more commonly used in everyday language.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between comprise and encompass?
Comprise is considered more formal than encompass, and is often used in academic or professional settings. Encompass is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.