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Prepositions after verbs

Compose of, by, for, in or as?

Compose is commonly used without a preposition or in passive forms such as be composed of. Some prepositions belong to different sentence structures rather than fixed combinations.

Quick answer

How is compose used with prepositions?

Use compose something for someone when creating music or writing. In passive structures, use be composed of to describe parts of a whole. Compose of is usually incorrect in active voice.

She composed music for children.
The committee is composed of five experts.
Mozart composed more than 600 works.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
compose + object

Creating music, writing, or text

Compose usually takes a direct object with no preposition.

He composed a symphony.
She composed a formal reply.
2
compose something for + audience/purpose

Explaining who the work is intended for

Use for to show the intended listener, reader, or purpose.

The artist composed a song for the ceremony.
She composed music for young learners.
3
be composed of + parts

Describing the elements of a whole

This passive pattern means consist of.

The panel is composed of senior researchers.
The mixture was composed of natural ingredients.
4
compose in + style/key

Talking about artistic style or musical key

In can describe the style, language, or key used for composition.

He composed in a classical style.
The piece was composed in C minor.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
compose of
The book is composed of three sections.
Correct mainly in the passive form be composed of, not usually as active compose of.
compose by
The soundtrack was composed by a local musician.
By introduces the creator in passive sentences.
compose for
She composed for theatre productions.
For can indicate the intended audience or field.
compose in
He composed in French and Italian.
In can describe language, style, or musical key.
compose as
She worked as a composer and composed music for films.
As is usually part of another structure, not a fixed complement after compose.

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using compose of in active voice

Active compose of is generally avoided in standard English.

✕ Five members compose of the committee. ✓ The committee is composed of five members.

Forgetting the direct object

Compose usually needs an object when referring to creation.

✕ She composed for the festival. ✓ She composed a piece for the festival.

Confusing compose and comprise

Compose and comprise use different structures.

✕ The committee composed of five members. ✓ The committee is composed of five members.

Using by in active voice incorrectly

By usually appears in passive sentences.

✕ Mozart composed by many operas. ✓ Many operas were composed by Mozart.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The album was composed ___ electronic and orchestral sounds.
2. She composed a theme song ___ the event.
3. The score was composed ___ a famous pianist.

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Frequently asked questions

Is compose of correct?

Usually only in the passive form be composed of. Active compose of is generally considered incorrect.

Can compose be followed by for?

Yes. Use for to show the intended audience or purpose of the work.

What is the difference between composed of and comprised of?

Composed of is widely accepted in standard English. Comprised of is common in modern usage but still avoided by some style guides.

calculate, by, calculate, in, calculate, from "call for" or "call on"? "campaign for" or "campaign against"? cancel by, due, at, in or for? capitulate to, in, like, by or after? captivate by, for, with, from or in? "capture by" or "capture in"? "care about" or "care for"? carry with, by, in, to or into? carve into, out, in, on or with? cast in, into, for, by or on? "catch in", "catch by" or "catch on"?

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