Including

Including is the present participle form of include and is used in English as either a preposition or a participial modifier. When used as a preposition, including introduces examples within a larger set and is usually non-exhaustive. For example: prices including tax are shown; the conference features several speakers, including a Nobel laureate; the menu offers fruit, including apples, bananas, and cherries. The phrase signals that other items exist beyond those named.

As a participial modifier, including can attach information about a noun in the main clause, often in a non-restrictive way: “The committee, including Dr. Smith, approved the proposal.” In this usage, including adds detail about the group or category without implying that every member is listed.

Etymology and usage notes: including derives from the verb include, with the -ing form functioning to create a modifying phrase. Including is common in both formal and informal writing. Some style guides advise avoiding starting sentences with the participial form, where it may create ambiguity or a fragment. In legal or precise contexts, phrases such as “including, but not limited to” are used to indicate scope and non-exhaustiveness. Overall, including helps signal exemplarity and scope without enumerating every item.