Meaning & use
include
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Meanings
verbtransitive
To have someone or something as a part of a group, set, or whole.
Grammar: Takes an object: include the children.
Patterns
- include someone/something
- include someone/something in something
The price includes breakfast and free Wi-Fi.
The team includes two new players from Brazil.
Does the tour include a visit to the castle?
verbtransitive
To make someone or something part of an activity, group, or plan.
Grammar: Often used with in: include me in the game.
Patterns
- include someone in something
- include something in something
Please include me in your email list.
We should include her in the discussion.
They included a map in the report.
verbtransitive
To allow someone to take part in an activity or group, especially when they might be left out.
Grammar: Focuses on people being accepted or welcomed, often in social contexts.
Patterns
- include someone
- include everyone
The school tries to include students with disabilities in all sports.
A good host includes everyone in the conversation.
The club wants to include more young people.
Word forms
| third person singular | includes |
|---|---|
| past tense | included |
| past participle | included |
| -ing form | including |
Common combinations
- include something in something
- Include your name in the application form.
- include someone in something
- They included me in the planning meeting.
- include a list
- The document includes a list of references.
- include details
- Please include details about your previous job.
- include examples
- The teacher asked us to include examples in our essays.
Synonyms and how they differ
- contain
- Used when something has parts inside it, often for objects or substances: the box contains toys.
- comprise
- More formal and means 'consist of' or 'be made up of': the committee comprises ten members.
- involve
- Suggests that someone or something is part of an activity or situation, often necessarily: the job involves travel.
- incorporate
- Means to include something as part of a larger whole, often in a deliberate way: incorporate new ideas into the plan.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: include or exclude?
include vs exclude
Exclude means to keep someone or something out, the opposite of include. Don't confuse the two when talking about groups.
Practice
Choose the correct sentence:
Choose one answer.
Include is a transitive verb and takes a direct object without a preposition. 'Includes breakfast' is correct; the other options add unnecessary prepositions.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “include”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.