The population comprised
Research methodology and reporting expression
Use this phrase to formally list the members or components of a specific group in a report.
In 15 Sekunden
- Used to describe the makeup of a study group.
- Highly formal and essential for academic writing.
- Never use 'of' after the word 'comprised'.
Bedeutung
This phrase is a professional way to say 'the group of people being studied was made up of...' It's like describing the specific ingredients that make up a group in a report or study.
Wichtige Beispiele
3 von 6Presenting a research paper
The population comprised 200 participants aged between 18 and 25.
The population comprised 200 participants aged between 18 and 25.
Writing a business demographic report
The target population comprised small business owners in the tech sector.
The target population comprised small business owners in the tech sector.
Being jokingly formal with friends
The population of this dinner party comprised three vegetarians and one very confused carnivore.
The population of this dinner party comprised three vegetarians and one very confused carnivore.
Kultureller Hintergrund
In English-speaking academia, using 'comprise' correctly is often seen as a mark of high literacy. There is a long-standing grammatical debate about whether 'comprised of' is acceptable, but in formal research, the version without 'of' is still the only one widely accepted. It reflects a culture that prizes linguistic precision in scientific documentation.
The 'Of' Trap
Never say 'comprised of' in a formal paper. It's a very common error. Just use 'comprised' on its own.
The Whole vs. The Parts
Remember: The whole comprises the parts. The parts compose the whole. 'The cake comprises flour and eggs' is correct.
In 15 Sekunden
- Used to describe the makeup of a study group.
- Highly formal and essential for academic writing.
- Never use 'of' after the word 'comprised'.
What It Means
Imagine you are a scientist or a researcher. You have a big group of people you are studying. You need to tell your readers exactly who was in that group. You say The population comprised... and then list the types of people. It’s about defining the boundaries of your group with total precision. It sounds very official and smart. It tells the reader, 'I know exactly who I am talking about.'
How To Use It
You put the main group (the whole) first. Then you use the word comprised. Finally, you list the parts that make it up. For example: The population comprised three cats and two dogs. Here is the golden rule: never add of after comprised. That is the most common mistake even native speakers make! It's like putting ketchup on a fine steak—technically possible, but it hurts the soul of the language. Use it to show the breakdown of a group in a clear, structured way.
When To Use It
Use this in your university thesis or a high-level business report. It is perfect for the 'Methodology' section of a research paper. If you are presenting census data or demographic results to a board of directors, this phrase is your best friend. It makes you sound like an expert who has done their homework. You’ll see it in medical journals, government reports, and academic textbooks.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use this at a casual Friday night party. If you say, 'The population of this bar comprised five hipsters and a very tired bartender,' your friends might think you've spent too much time in the library. Avoid it in quick texts unless you are being intentionally funny or sarcastic. It is far too heavy for a casual chat about what to eat for lunch. It’s a 'suit and tie' phrase, not a 't-shirt and jeans' phrase.
Cultural Background
This phrase comes from a long tradition of scientific and legal writing in English. In the academic world, being precise is a sign of respect for the truth. Using comprised correctly shows you have reached a high level of English education. It’s a linguistic 'secret handshake' among researchers. It feels very 'Oxford' or 'Harvard.' It represents the Western academic value of categorization and clear data reporting.
Common Variations
You might hear The sample consisted of, which is slightly more common in social sciences. The group was composed of is another classic alternative. If you are feeling a bit more relaxed, you can just say The group included. However, for the most formal and prestigious reports, comprised remains the gold standard. Just remember: the whole comprises the parts!
Nutzungshinweise
This is a high-register academic expression. Its most critical rule is the avoidance of the preposition 'of' following the verb 'comprised'. Use it primarily in written reports or formal presentations.
The 'Of' Trap
Never say 'comprised of' in a formal paper. It's a very common error. Just use 'comprised' on its own.
The Whole vs. The Parts
Remember: The whole comprises the parts. The parts compose the whole. 'The cake comprises flour and eggs' is correct.
Academic Prestige
Using this phrase correctly in an IELTS or TOEFL essay can significantly boost your 'Lexical Resource' score.
Beispiele
6The population comprised 200 participants aged between 18 and 25.
The population comprised 200 participants aged between 18 and 25.
This is the classic academic use to define a study group.
The target population comprised small business owners in the tech sector.
The target population comprised small business owners in the tech sector.
Used here to define a specific market segment.
The population of this dinner party comprised three vegetarians and one very confused carnivore.
The population of this dinner party comprised three vegetarians and one very confused carnivore.
Using a formal phrase in a casual setting creates a humorous effect.
The attendee population comprised the entire marketing team.
The attendee population comprised the entire marketing team.
A bit stiff for a text, but works if the colleague is also a 'data person'.
The population comprised families who had lived in the valley for generations.
The population comprised families who had lived in the valley for generations.
Used to give a sense of scale and history to a group of people.
The control population comprised ten organic samples kept at room temperature.
The control population comprised ten organic samples kept at room temperature.
Shows that 'population' can refer to things, not just people, in science.
Teste dich selbst
Choose the correct way to complete the sentence for a formal report.
The study ___ fifty high-school teachers from London.
In formal English, 'comprised' is used without 'of' to mean 'was made up of'.
Identify the most appropriate context for this phrase.
You would most likely see 'The population comprised' in a ___.
This phrase is specifically designed for formal data reporting and research methodology.
🎉 Ergebnis: /2
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Formality Spectrum of 'Comprised'
Talking to friends
The group was...
Standard workplace email
The group consisted of...
Academic thesis or Census
The population comprised...
Where to use 'The population comprised'
University Thesis
Defining research subjects
Medical Study
Describing patient groups
Government Report
Reporting census data
Ironic Humor
Describing a messy room
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenWhile many people say it, strict grammarians and academic journals consider it incorrect. Stick to The population comprised or The population was composed of.
In statistics and research, a population can be a group of animals, objects, or even events. It just means the total set of items you are studying.
Not at all! It sounds very professional. It shows you are serious about your data.
The past tense is comprised. Since most research reports describe things that already happened, you will almost always use the past tense.
Yes, for example: The current population comprises three distinct groups. This works for ongoing situations.
Not exactly. Included suggests there might be other things not mentioned. Comprised usually implies you are listing everything in the group.
Because it requires an understanding of specific academic registers and the nuance of 'comprise' vs 'compose,' which are advanced concepts.
You could, but it would sound very strange and scientific. Better to say The ingredients are...
It is used in all major varieties of English, especially in international academic publishing.
The simplest synonym is was made up of or consisted of.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Consisted of
A slightly less formal way to list the parts of a whole.
Was composed of
The correct way to use 'compose' when starting with the whole group.
Accounted for
Used to describe what percentage of a group a certain part represents.
Made up of
The most common, neutral way to describe the components of something.
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