"incorporate" and "include"

Question

Hi AllIs there any difference between incorporate and include. I have consulted the dictionary.com, but I am not able to find out the exact difference.Kindly advice.Regards

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

They can be used synonymnously, but incorporation ('in' + 'body') is a more comprehensive and complete uniting than is inclusion ('in' + 'close').

CalifJim · Answer

Beat the mixture thoroughly to make sure that all the butter is [incorporated / *included] into the batter.
Don't forget to [include / *incorporate] me on your Christmas card list!

CJ

(Kindly advise.)

Anonymous · Answer

Can you please elaborate more

CalifJim · Answer

Beat the mixture thoroughly to make sure that all the butter is [incorporated / *included] into the batter.
Don't forget to [include / *incorporate] me on your Christmas card list!

The * means that the word is incorrect in the context shown.

In the first case, the butter is already in the batter. It is already included. That just means it's there as part of the recipe. There is no need to mix anything thoroughly to cause the butter to be included. It's included from the beginning just by being part of the recipe. The thorough mixing causes the butter to be taken up and combined with the other ingredients so that it's impossible to see the butter anymore as a separate item. It is incorporated. It is made to become part of the mixture.

In the second case I want to be included on a list. I want to be part of that list. It would be impossible to incorporate me or to incorporate my name on the list. That would mean combining it so thoroughly with the list that it was no longer recognizable as a separate unit. That is clearly not the intention, so it would be wrong to use incorporate in this sentence. You can never incorporate a name on a list!

CJ

Anonymous · Answer

Hi CalifJim

Thanks

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"incorporate" and "include"

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