The right including synonym hinges on one detail: are you naming samples, or adding something to a total? Samples call for like, such as or among them. For totals and prices, counting, inclusive of and plus are clearer.
Including can also be a verb form (we are including you in the trip), which calls for words such as involving or adding. The tables below sort each use, give before and after sentences, and point out where another word for including quietly turns a partial list into a complete one. Our hub of linking words collects more connectors like this.
Swatch at a glance
Best swaps
such as, like, among them, counting, plusPart of speech
Preposition; also the -ing form of includeMost formal
inclusive of, encompassing, incorporatingMost casual
like, plus, withAntonyms
excluding, except, apart fromWatch out
Comprising means the list is complete. Including means it is only part of the list.Commas
A comma usually goes before including when it starts a list of examples.
Sorting each including synonym by its job
| You want to | Use | Sample |
|---|---|---|
| Name a few examples | such as, notably, like, among them | We stock hard cheeses such as cheddar and gouda. |
| Count something in a number | counting, plus, along with | Twelve guests came, counting the hosts. |
| Show a price covers something | inclusive of, with | The fare is inclusive of one checked bag. |
| Say a whole covers a part | incorporating, encompassing, taking in | The tour takes in three old chapels. |
| Bring a person into something | involving, inviting, adding | Thanks for inviting me to the meeting. |
Register: from like to inclusive of
Read the swatches as a ladder of tone, loose at one end and official at the other. Like suits talk and friendly posts; a strict grader may circle it in a term paper. Plus is informal and adds rather than lists examples. Such as sits comfortably in reports, posts and school work alike. Among them sounds polished and often follows a number: forty writers attended, among them two prize winners. Inclusive of belongs on invoices, contracts and menus.
Swapping including in real lines
- Many fruits, including mangoes, are high in fiber becomes many fruits, such as mangoes, are high in fiber.
- The price is $40 including tax becomes the price is $40 inclusive of tax.
- Five people, including me, were late becomes five people were late, me among them.
- Our garage holds old gear, including two bikes becomes our garage holds old gear, among which are two bikes.
- There are nine of us including the driver becomes nine of us, counting the driver.
- She plays sports, including tennis and golf becomes she plays sports like tennis and golf.
On a cover letter: "I have used several design programs, including layout and photo tools." Swapping in "notably" ("several design programs, notably layout and photo tools") signals that these are the ones you are best at, not just a sample.
When it is a verb, not a preposition
Sometimes including is the -ing form of include: "Are you including the new staff in training?" Here the preposition swaps above do not work. Try involving, adding, counting in or bringing in instead: Are you bringing the new staff into training?
Try swapping in such as. When the sentence survives intact, you have the preposition. If you need a different verb, it is the verb form.
Partial list or full list
Including, such as and like all say the list is not complete. Readers assume more items exist. That makes them different from words that close the list:
- Comprising or consisting of name every part: a team comprising three nurses and a doctor.
- Namely lists exactly what you mean: two colors, namely red and gray.
- Specifically points to the exact items you mean.
Avoid adding etc. after including. The word already tells the reader the list goes on.
Words for leaving things out
The opposite of including is excluding, with except, apart from, other than and not counting as plain swaps. Barring is formal and often about events: barring delays, we land at six.
- The rate is $90 a night, excluding breakfast.
- Everyone came apart from Leo.
Commas and placement
Put a comma before including when examples follow a full clause: We tested several drinks, including green tea. Use a pair of commas when the examples sit mid sentence. With such as, the same rules apply. Like normally takes no comma when it narrows a group, as in snacks like nuts and fruit. For related list connectors, see for example synonyms and as well as synonyms.
Frequently asked questions
Is such as the same as including?
Nearly. Both introduce examples from a larger group. Such as stresses that these are examples, while including stresses that they are part of the group.
Which version sounds right on an invoice?
Inclusive of is the standard formal phrase: the total is inclusive of delivery. You can also simply write delivery included.
Can I use like instead of including?
Yes in most everyday writing. In formal essays, such as is often preferred since like also carries the sense of resembling.
What is the opposite of including?
Excluding is the direct opposite. Except, apart from, other than and not counting work in everyday sentences.
Does including mean the list is complete?
No. It shows only some items. If you mean all of them, use comprising, consisting of or namely.
Is among them correct after a number?
Yes, and it reads smoothly: a dozen bakers entered, among them last season's winner. It works best when the group is people or named things.