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Sep 23 2009   12:47PM GMT

“Composed of” or “comprised of”?



Posted by: Ivy Wigmore
Business writing, CIO, commonly confused words, commonly misused words, compose / comprise, grammar, Quiz, word meanings

Which is correct?
An ODS may be ___________ various types of data that must connect to different components of an information system.
a. composed of
b. comprised of


Answer: a

Explanation:
To compose, in this context, means to make up — an ODS is made up of various types of data. To comprise means to contain. An ODS comprises various types of data.

Grammar Girl Mignon Fogarty explains the difference between compose and comprise on her blog.

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