include

include — verb

1. used to say that someone or something is one of the parts or members that form a

1.verbtransitiveA2
Definition

used to say that someone or something is one of the parts or members that form a larger group, collection, or whole

Example

The tour package includes hotel accommodation and three meals a day.

include + [list of items or features]

Does the price of the ticket include a service charge?

question form: does [something] include [something]

Common collocations
  • include a feature
  • include a service
  • include an item
  • include a cost
  • be included in the price
Synonyms
  • contain

    Focuses on something physically holding another thing inside it; more concrete than include

  • comprise

    More formal; suggests all the parts that make up a whole, not just some

  • involve

    Suggests something is part of a process or activity rather than a fixed list

Antonyms
  • exclude

    To leave out or not allow as part of something

  • omit

    To leave something out deliberately or by accident

Grammar Patterns

include + noun phrase

be included + in/on [group or collection]

Usage Note

Often used to introduce a non-exhaustive list of parts or members. The passive form 'be included in' is frequent in formal and written English.

Common Mistakes

The price includes of tax.
The price includes tax.
Include is a transitive verb and takes a direct object directly, without a preposition.
The bottle includes water.
The bottle contains water.
Use contain for physical substances inside a closed container; use include for listing parts or members of a group or set.

2. to add someone or something to a group, list, category, or activity so that they

2.verbtransitiveA2
Definition

to add someone or something to a group, list, category, or activity so that they are treated as part of it

Example

Vivek asked the manager to include his name on the team list.

include + [someone/something] + on [a list or document]

The school tries to include children with special needs in all activities.

include + [person] + in [activity]

Common collocations
  • include someone in a discussion
  • include a name on a list
  • include an item in a category
  • include someone among the members
Synonyms
  • add

    More straightforward; can be used for physical items added to a collection

  • incorporate

    Suggests blending something into a unified whole; more formal

  • involve

    Emphasises making someone take part in an activity or process

Antonyms
  • exclude

    To deliberately leave someone or something out

  • leave out

    More informal; to not include someone or something

Grammar Patterns

include + object + in/on [group, list, or activity]

include + object + among [people or things]

Usage Note

Commonly takes 'in' or 'on' to specify the group, list, or activity. The subject is typically a person, group, or organization doing the adding. For including someone in social activities, 'include + person + in + activity' is the standard pattern.

Common Mistakes

She included him to the group.
She included him in the group.
Use in (not to) after include when naming the group or activity.
The team included him as a member.' (when meaning they added him)
The team included him as a member.
This is actually correct; but note that 'include as' focuses on role, while 'include in' focuses on the group or activity.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

Contain focuses on something physically holding another thing inside it, like 'The box contains old letters.' It is the most concrete of the four. Comprise is more formal and suggests that all the parts are listed: 'The committee comprises twelve members.' You would not use comprise for a partial list. Incorporate suggests blending something into a unified whole so that it becomes an integrated part: 'We incorporated her suggestions into the final design.' Involve suggests something is part of a process or situation rather than a fixed set of items: 'The job involves lots of travel.' Include is the most general word and works for non-exhaustive lists: 'The price includes tax.' Unlike contain, include is fine for abstract wholes; unlike comprise, you can include only some parts.

contain ↗comprise ↗incorporate ↗involve ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • include a person
  • include an item
  • include a feature
  • include a cost

Adverbs

  • also include
  • always include
  • never include
  • typically include
  • usually include

Phrases

  • include as part of
  • be included in the list
  • be included in the price

Prepositions

  • include in
  • include on
  • include among
  • include with

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Include comes from the Latin word includere, which combines in- ('in') and claudere ('to shut'). It originally meant 'to shut in or confine.' In the 15th century, English adopted it from French, and over time its meaning shifted from physically enclosing something to the more abstract idea of counting something as part of a whole.