The words "include" and "comprise" can seem similar, but they have distinct meanings. "Include" means to contain or have as a part, while "comprise" means to consist of or be made up of. The key difference lies in which part of the sentence is being emphasized. With "include," the emphasis is on the smaller part being contained within a larger whole. With "comprise," the emphasis is on the larger whole being made up of the smaller parts.

Here are some examples to illustrate the difference:

• Include:

  • "The price includes tax." (The tax is part of the overall price.)
  • "The salad includes lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumbers." (Lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumbers are part of the salad ingredients.)

• Comprise:

  • "The team comprises five players." (The five players make up the whole team. The team is made up of those players.)
  • "The collection comprises 100 paintings." (The 100 paintings make up the entire collection.)

Notice that while you can say "The salad includes..." you would not typically say "The salad comprises..." because the salad is not made up of just those ingredients; it could have other ingredients as well. Conversely, with "comprise," the parts mentioned represent the entirety of something. You wouldn’t say "The team includes five players" because that would imply there might be more players. The whole team is those five players. This is a subtle but important distinction.

Here's another way to think about it: "Include" means to add something to a whole; "comprise" means to completely describe the whole by listing its components. Understanding this distinction will help you use these words accurately in your writing and speaking.

Happy learning!