What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
constitute
Example
The ingredients of the cake constitute the recipe. [constitute: verb]
Example
The committee is constituted by members from different departments. [constituted: past participle]
Example
The president's actions constitute a violation of the constitution. [constitute: verb]
compose
Example
The painting is composed of various colors and shapes. [composed: past participle]
Example
She composed a beautiful poem for her friend's wedding. [composed: verb]
Example
He tried to compose himself before giving the speech. [compose: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Compose is more commonly used than constitute in everyday language. Compose is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while constitute is less common and often used in legal, official, or academic contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between constitute and compose?
Constitute is typically associated with a formal or academic tone, while compose is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
