When do you append ‘of’ to the verb ‘comprise’?

Comprise means to include or to consist of. Of is added when the verb is used passively (eg something is comprised of something else). When used actively, do not use ‘of’. See following example.

If you want to write about the composition of a committee, you could write either:

“The committee comprises four managers, three members of staff and two customers.”

or

“The committee is comprised of four managers, three members of staff and two customers.”

You should not write: “The committee comprises of four managers, three members of staff and two customers.”

Robert Zarywacz

For spelling, grammar and punctuation tips and advice on copywriting, editing and proofreading, please visit our www.z2zine.co.uk blog regularly.

. . . why there’s been a gap in posting, it’s because we’ve been editing a 16-page magazine for an organisation, but finally it has gone to print.

As well as editing the content of the articles themselves, we spend a lot of time ensuring information such as web addresses and phone numbers are correct. There’s nothing worse than reading something interesting, then going to have a look at the web site listed, only to find that the wrong address has been given.

It only takes one wrong character to stop you finding that web site, and that’s why accuracy is so important.

Anyway, we hope that normal blogging service will be resumed from now on.

Robert Zarywacz

Many businesses or organisations decided to publish a newsletter and launch enthusiastically into issue 1 as their first and last effort. Maintaining periodical production is like keeping a train or heavy lorry moving: it takes a tremendous amount of effort at first, but as long as you keep it moving it will roll along almost effortlessly. The danger is in letting it stop; then you have to start it moving all over again.

Over the years, I’ve edited newsletters and magazines for companies, business organisations and voluntary groups, and the above applies to all of them.

How do you attract people’s interest and participation? Obviously, producing a publication that is worth reading is important, but I also try to reach out to every area of the company or organisation to represent their interests. The result is that people start to send you contributions or suggest ideas for articles voluntarily.

I’m editing a magazine at the moment and have received a variety of articles ranging from the interesting to the ones where I’ve politely suggested some improvements to the writer. While not everyone is a natural writer, nobody likes to be told that their contribution is too poor to publish, and it’s surprising how some positive suggestions can result in an improved article the next time.

I really enjoy editing magazines because of the enjoyment they can give both to contributors and readers. It’s worth putting in the effort to maintain the momentum and keep interest alive.

Robert Zarywacz