including
including: counting something as part of a whole; with ... included in the set.
- Including adds an item into a group: five people, including me.
- It often comes before an example, member, or extra item inside a total set.
- If you want to exclude something from the set, use apart from or except for instead.
Scene category
Controls
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Examples
Spatial examples
Everyone in the circle, including Mia, stepped forward.
The route crosses five towns, including ours.
Abstract examples
The update affects several teams, including customer support.
We packed the basics, including medicine and snacks.
Several cities, including ours, will host the event.
Related prepositions
Key differences
Including names an item and makes clear that it is counted inside the whole. First ask: is the item inside the total, list, fee, or range, or is it excluded?
Apart from usually takes something out, excludes it, or treats it separately. Including explicitly counts it inside the set.
Except for excludes this item. Including counts this item too.
Among places someone or something inside a group. Including names that member and counts it as part of the whole.
Quick check questions (decision tree)
Are you explicitly naming one or more members that belong inside a larger set?
including: counting something as part of a whole; with ... included in the set.
Do you need apart from instead because it usually takes something out, excludes it, or treats it separately?
Apart from usually takes something out, excludes it, or treats it separately. Including explicitly counts it inside the set.
Do you need except for instead because it excludes this item?
Except for excludes this item. Including counts this item too.
Do you need among instead because it places someone or something inside a group?
Among places someone or something inside a group. Including names that member and counts it as part of the whole.
Common collocations
Including an example or member
Lists and totals
Useful sentence frames
Common mistakes
Avoid: Apart from lunch, the fee covers lunch too.
Use: The fee covers everything, including lunch.
Reason: If lunch is inside the set, use including, not apart from.
Avoid: Including of tax, the total is 40 dollars.
Use: Including tax, the total is 40 dollars.
Reason: Including does not need of after it.
Avoid: She is including the group.
Use: She is among the group. / She is included in the group.
Reason: Including is a preposition here; it does not work like a location preposition meaning 'inside a group'.
Mini quiz
Question 1
The price includes everything, ___ delivery.
Choose an answer
Question 2
___ one final detail, the document is complete.
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Question 3
Everyone came, ___ Maya and Ken.
Choose an answer
Quick FAQ
What is the core meaning of including?+
It names something as part of a larger whole, list, or total.
Can including be used with people?+
Yes. You can say five students, including Leo or everyone, including the manager.
Can including be used with money or totals?+
Yes. Including tax, including delivery, and including lunch are all common.
What is the difference between including and apart from?+
Including adds something into the set. Apart from usually removes or separates something from the set.
What is the difference between including and among?+
Including highlights membership in a list or whole. Among places something inside a group or environment.