Include vs. Exclude — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Urooj Arif — Updated on May 8, 2024
"Include" means to incorporate or add something as a part, while "exclude" means to deliberately leave something out or omit it.
Difference Between Include and Exclude
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Include involves adding items or elements to a group or list, suggesting a sense of comprehensiveness. On the other hand, exclude refers to the act of omitting or not considering certain items or elements, which creates a boundary or limitation.
When you include something, you are expanding the scope or the content of a discussion, project, or collection, whereas excluding something narrows down the focus by removing less relevant or undesirable parts.
Including often implies acceptance or integration, while excluding often implies rejection or separation.
For instance, including various opinions in a discussion can enrich it, while excluding irrelevant contributions can help maintain focus.
Inclusion can also promote diversity and openness, whereas exclusion can be used to maintain a certain standard or purity within a group or set.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
To incorporate as a part or member of a group.
To deliberately leave out or omit.
Purpose
Broadening and enriching.
Narrowing and specifying.
Connotation
Inclusivity, acceptance.
Exclusivity, separation.
Typical Usage
Adding elements to enhance diversity or quantity.
Removing elements to maintain focus or standards.
Impact
Increases scope or variety.
Decreases scope, focuses on specific elements.
Compare with Definitions
Include
To consider as part of something.
We decided to include some local dishes in our menu.
Exclude
To omit from a group or list.
All dairy products are excluded from the vegan diet.
Include
To involve as a necessary part.
Good nutrition includes consuming a variety of foods.
Exclude
To keep out from a group or restrict.
The club decided to exclude guests without invitations.
Include
To take in or consider as part of a whole.
Please include all relevant details in your report.
Exclude
To rule out or deny participation.
He was excluded from the competition for breaking the rules.
Include
To make part of a group or collection.
The tour price includes meals and accommodation.
Exclude
To deliberately not include.
The price excludes VAT and service charges.
Include
To add as a part of something else.
Include a reference list at the end of your essay.
Exclude
To leave out or omit from consideration.
Exclude any personal opinions from the scientific analysis.
Include
Comprise or contain as part of a whole
Other changes included the abolition of the death penalty
The price includes dinner, bed, and breakfast
Exclude
Deny (someone) access to a place, group, or privilege
The public were excluded from the board meeting
Include
Make part of a whole or set
We have included some hints for beginners in this section
Exclude
Remove from consideration
One cannot exclude the possibility of a fall in house prices
Include
To contain or take in as a part, element, or member.
Exclude
To prevent from entering; keep out; bar
A jar sealed to exclude outside air.
An immigration policy that excludes undesirables.
Include
To consider as part of or allow into a group or class
Thanked the host for including us.
Exclude
To prevent from being included, considered, or accepted; reject
The court excluded the improperly obtained evidence.
Include
To bring into a group, class, set, or total as a (new) part or member.
I will purchase the vacation package if you will include car rental.
Exclude
To put out; expel.
Include
To consider as part of something; to comprehend.
The vacation package includes car rental.
Does this volume of Shakespeare include his sonnets?
I was included in the invitation to the family gathering.
Up to and including page twenty-five
Exclude
(transitive) To bar (someone or something) from entering; to keep out.
Include
(obsolete) To enclose, confine.
Exclude
(transitive) To expel; to put out.
To exclude young animals from the womb or from eggs
Include
(obsolete) To conclude; to terminate.
Exclude
(transitive) To omit from consideration.
Count from 1 to 30, but exclude the prime numbers.
Include
(programming) To use a directive that allows the use of source code from another file.
You have to include the strings library to use this function.
Exclude
To refuse to accept (evidence) as valid.
Include
(programming) A piece of source code or other content that is dynamically retrieved for inclusion in another item.
Exclude
To eliminate from diagnostic consideration.
Include
To confine within; to hold; to contain; to shut up; to inclose; as, the shell of a nut includes the kernel; a pearl is included in a shell.
Exclude
To shut out; to hinder from entrance or admission; to debar from participation or enjoyment; to deprive of; to except; - the opposite to admit; as, to exclude a crowd from a room or house; to exclude the light; to exclude one nation from the ports of another; to exclude a taxpayer from the privilege of voting.
And none but such, from mercy I exclude.
Include
To comprehend or comprise, as a genus the species, the whole a part, an argument or reason the inference; to contain; to embrace; as, this volume of Shakespeare includes his sonnets; he was included in the invitation to the family; to and including page twenty-five.
The whole included race, his purposed prey.
The loss of such a lord includes all harm.
Exclude
To thrust out or eject; to expel; as, to exclude young animals from the womb or from eggs.
Include
To conclude; to end; to terminate.
Come, let us go; we will include all jarsWith triumphs, mirth, and rare solemnity.
Exclude
Prevent from being included or considered or accepted;
The bad results were excluded from the report
Leave off the top piece
Include
Have as a part, be made up out of;
The list includes the names of many famous writers
Exclude
Prevent from entering; shut out;
The trees were shutting out all sunlight
This policy excludes people who have a criminal record from entering the country
Include
Consider as part of something;
I include you in the list of culprits
Exclude
Lack or fail to include;
The cost for the trip excludes food and beverages
Include
Add as part of something else; put in as part of a set, group, or category;
We must include this chemical element in the group
Exclude
Prevent from entering; keep out;
He was barred from membership in the club
Include
Allow participation in or the right to be part of; permit to exercise the rights, functions, and responsibilities of;
Admit someone to the profession
She was admitted to the New Jersey Bar
Exclude
Put out or expel from a place;
The child was expelled from the classroom
Common Curiosities
What does it mean to include something?
To include something means to add it as part of a larger group, list, or collection.
Can you give an example of excluding something from a study?
Excluding outliers from data analysis can help focus on the trends more relevant to the study.
What is the effect of inclusion in the workplace?
Inclusion in the workplace can increase employee satisfaction and creativity by valuing diverse opinions.
Can you give an example of including something in a project?
Including multiple perspectives in a project can enhance its depth and appeal.
How does inclusion affect learning environments?
Inclusion in learning environments fosters a supportive atmosphere that accommodates diverse learning needs.
What is the effect of exclusion in social settings?
Exclusion in social settings can lead to feelings of isolation and decrease group cohesion.
Why is it important to include various voices in discussions?
Including various voices in discussions can lead to more well-rounded and informed outcomes.
How does exclusion affect decision making?
Exclusion can streamline decision-making processes by limiting the number of options or variables considered.
What does it mean to exclude something?
To exclude something means to deliberately leave it out or omit it from a group, list, or process.
Why might an organization choose to exclude certain data from reports?
An organization might exclude data from reports if it is irrelevant, misleading, or confidential.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
