Contain: refers to container(容器). When you use it, you don’t have to list all parts.
Contain是基於容器的概念。是指一個容器裡包含某些東西。
Example:
The web page should contain a hyper link. (the web page is a container)
這個網頁應該包含一個超鏈接 (把網頁看作一個容器)
Include: When you use it, you don’t have to list all parts.
Include側重的是抽象的組成。
Example:
You should include a link in your answer.
你應該在你的答案裡放一個鏈接(答案是一個抽象的空間)
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)
那盒子裡有一個綠球。
The contents of the box include a green ball. (the contents are made up of balls)
那盒子裡的空間裡包括一個綠球。
Consist of, comprise, and compose are similar, and not allowed to be used in continuous form (進行時態). "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)
北美地區由美國、加拿大以及墨西哥三個國家組成。
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.
電腦由CPU、存儲以及輸入輸出設備組成。
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.
電腦由CPU、存儲以及輸入輸出設備組成。
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