Column Four

Which Word?

In continuation of last column’s theme, I will consider in this column the correct usage of several more commonly confused words: compose/comprise, complement/compliment, contemptuous/contemptible, and continual/continuous.

“Comprise” and “compose” are very often and quite easily confused. Both are used in describing the parts that make up a whole. How do they differ? “Comprise” means “composed of,” and is only used with the whole as a subject. “Compose” can be used with the parts as the subject. For example, “The flower arrangement comprises irises, hyacinths, roses, and daffodils,” while “Roses, daffodils, hyacinths, and irises compose the flower arrangement,” or “The flower arrangement is composed of roses, daffodils, hyacinths, and irises.”

“Complement” and “compliment” are another tough pair to work with. Is one just a misspelling of the other? They are actually different parts of speech! “Complement” is a verb, which means “to improve, set off, or accentuate.” “Compliment,” on the other hand, is a noun that means “Praise or a constructive remark.” Using our previous example, one could say that the flower arrangement would complement the décor in one’s living room, and then receive compliments on how nice it looks.

“Contemptuous” and “contemptible” both come from the same basic word: “contempt.” What does each mean? These words differ in the subject and object. Considering once more our flower arrangement from the first example, we could say that the flower arrangement is contemptible, if it is the object of contempt, that is, on the receiving end. The guests that are giving the contempt, however, would be described as being contemptuous.

Our final word pair, “continual” and “continuous,” seem to be synonymous, but they are not. “Continual” refers to an action that repeats over a long period of time. Notice that something that is occurring continually is being completed and redone over and over again. “Continuous” describes an action that never stops. Therefore, our flower arrangement could be continually replaced (that is, flowers drying up and being replaced, in a cyclical fashion), while new flowers could be continuously added (which refers to a constant action of adding new flowers, not necessarily including the removal of old ones).

Remember, if you are ever confused about a word pair, refer to a good dictionary. Most dictionaries (like the American Heritage Dictionary) include usage notes about words, which will help you understand which word is properly used in the context of your writing.

(Note: This article was written with information taken from Glatzer, Jenna. Words You Thought You Knew… Adams Media: Avon, MA, 2004. (64, 65, 69, 71)

The Grammarian