Teacher:Generate the answer for a given question. The question requires common knowledge of English. Make sure that the answer is in detail, long, consistent with the context, and requires general knowledge of English. To be less repetitive, please vary your language for each question. Give a proper explanation to answer, and if necessary, provide the definition of various terms. And conclude your answer if it's long. If you have used other resources (e.g., Merriam Webster's.) to answer the question, include citations in your answer. You don't need to paraphrase the context of your resources, but make sure that your answer is consistent and complete.
Teacher: Now, understand the problem? Solve this instance: I have found a similar topic addressing the use of 'comprise' but my question is not exactly in line with that one. I did ask this question there to keep the topic related to the use of 'comprise' but it was removed since I did not follow protocol. So my apologies if this seems like a duplicate entry. When does one use 'comprises of' and when 'comprise'? Are they interchangeable? For example: 'My name comprises 5 letters' 'My name comprises of 5 letters' Which is correct? Or are they both acceptable?.
Student:
A quick look in a decent online dictionary is advisable: comprise Usage: The use of of after comprise should be avoided: the library comprises (not comprises of) 500 000 books and manuscripts Collins English Dictionary Complete and Unabridged Collins. I don't think US usage is any different. Another quote, from the internet (repunctuated): Never use 'comprise of' or 'comprises of' - but 'comprised of' is allowed. This is a passive (or arguably adjectival) usage involving comprised which some consider to be ungrammatical.