Contain: refers to container(容器). When you use it, you don’t have to list all parts.
Contain是基于容器的概念。是指一个容器里包含某些东西。
Example:
The web page should contain a hyper link. (the web page is a container)
这个网页应该包含一个超链接 (把网页看作一个容器)
Include: When you use it, you don’t have to list all parts.
Include侧重的是抽象的组成。
Example:
You should include a link in your answer.
你应该在你的答案里放一个链接(答案是一个抽象的空间)
The difference between contain and include is much subtle(微妙的). Imagine there is a box, inside the box, there are only 3 balls (a red one, a yellow one, and a green one). You can say in these ways:
The box contains a green ball. (the box is a container)
那盒子里有一个绿球。
The contents of the box include a green ball. (the contents are made up of balls)
那盒子里的空间里包括一个绿球。
Consist of, comprise, and compose are similar, and not allowed to be used in continuous form (进行时态). "Be consisting of", "be comprising", "be composing" are wrong in English.
Consist of: When you use it, you must list all parts. Be aware, "be consisted of" is wrong in English.
Examples:
North America consists of three countries: the USA, Canada, and Mexico. (no other countries)
北美地区由美国、加拿大以及墨西哥三个国家组成。
Comprise: It is more formal than consist. When you it, you must list all parts. "be comprised of" is correct in English.
Examples:
A computer comprises CPU, memory, and I/O.
电脑由CPU、存储以及输入输出设备组成。
Compose: It is more formal than comprise. It is only used in the passive voice - "be composed of". When you it, you must list all parts.
Examples:
A computer is composed of CPU, memory, and I/O.
电脑由CPU、存储以及输入输出设备组成。
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