Usage: Comprise Vs. Compose

I see comprise used in place of compose all the time now. Writers use it to sound distinguished and educated. The actual effect is the opposite.

Compose means to form something by putting things together. It’s often used in passive voice (... is composed of ...).

Comprise means includes, is made up of. It is NEVER used in passive voice (... is comprised of ...) because that would be illogical.

Fifty states comprise the United States.
The United States is composed of fifty states.
Bacon, eggs, and juice comprise my breakfast.
My breakfast is composed of bacon, eggs, and juice.

The non-passive use of compose is not as common now:
We will compose a committee. The committee will be composed of five members. Five members will comprise the committee.

Trick to Remember
Compose is rarely used wrong, but comprise is misused all the time. So, if you’re writing comprise, replace it with is made up of and see if it still makes sense. You can also just avoid comprise altogether; you can live without it easily enough.