Dictionary of English - consist, comprise, constitute, or compose
consist, comprise, constitute, or compose
To consist of something is to be made up of it: The programme consisted of two short plays. To comprise something has the same meaning, often implying that the whole is regarded from the point of view of its individual parts: The programme comprises two short plays (they were chosen to make it up). To constitute something is to form a whole, especially of dissimilar components: Wealth and health do not necessarily constitute happiness. To compose means the same, but implies that the components have something in common: Water is composed of hydrogen and oxygen. A common mistake is to confuse consist and comprise, saying, for example: The programme is comprised of two short plays.
