What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
comprising
Example
The book is comprised of ten chapters. [comprised: verb]
Example
The team is comprised of players from different countries. [comprised: verb]
containing
Example
The box contains a variety of chocolates. [contains: verb]
Example
The report is containing sensitive information. [containing: present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Containing is more commonly used than comprising in everyday language, as it is more versatile and can be used in various contexts. Comprising is more formal and less commonly used.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between comprising and containing?
Comprising is more formal than containing, which is more commonly used in everyday language and can be employed in both formal and informal contexts.