including
ihn-KLOO-dihng
Including (preposition) means used to introduce one or more examples that form part of a larger group. Example: “Several countries, including France and Spain, signed the agreement.”
preposition
1
Used to introduce one or more examples that form part of a larger group.
"Several countries, including France and Spain, signed the agreement."
"The shop sells fruit, including apples, pears and some very sweet plums."
"Everyone, including the teacher, laughed at the funny story."
How to use including
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishUsed to name specific examples from within a bigger group.
Common pairings
including but not limited to
several people including
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Several countries, _____ France and Spain, signed the agreement.
Etymology
By surface analysis, this is include + -ing.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for including
See all rhymes for including →Frequently asked questions
What does “including” mean?
The word “including” means used to introduce one or more examples that form part of a larger group. In plain terms, used to name specific examples from within a bigger group.
How do you pronounce “including”?
“Including” is pronounced ihn-KLOO-dihng (/ɪnˈkluːdɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “including” in a sentence?
Here is “including” used in a sentence: “Several countries, including France and Spain, signed the agreement.”
What part of speech is “including”?
“Including” is a preposition.
Is “including” a common word?
“Including” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between 'including' and 'such as'?
Both introduce examples from a larger group and are usually interchangeable: 'countries including France' equals 'countries such as France.' 'Including' slightly stresses that the items are part of the whole, while 'such as' frames them purely as illustrations. In everyday writing the difference is minimal.
What is the opposite of 'including'?
The opposite is 'excluding' or 'except,' which leaves items out rather than counting them in. 'Everyone including Sam' means Sam is part of the group, while 'everyone excluding Sam' means he is left out. 'Not including' works the same way as 'excluding.'
Do you put a comma before 'including'?
Usually yes. When 'including' adds extra, non-essential examples, a comma sets it off: 'She packed everything, including her passport.' If the phrase is essential to the meaning, the comma can be dropped. The comma signals that a list of examples is following.
What is the difference between 'including' and 'includes'?
'Includes' is the main verb: 'the price includes tax.' 'Including' is a preposition or participle that introduces examples within a sentence: 'the price covers extras, including tax.' Use 'includes' to state what a whole contains, and 'including' to tag on examples mid-sentence.
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