are made of

USAGE SUMMARY

"are made of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the composition of something. For example, "My shoes are made of leather."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

They are made of ice.

The New Yorker

They are made of cardboard.

The New York Times

Some are made of brick.

The New York Times - Travel

"Grapes are made of grape".

The New Yorker

The stuff dreams are made of, indeed.

Independent

The sidewalks are made of iron.

The New Yorker

"The roads are made of dirt.

The New York Times

They are made of butter, not lard.

The New York Times

The benches are made of granite.

The New Yorker

Modern sewing needles are made of steel.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They are made of flesh and blood.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are made of" to clearly indicate the materials or components that constitute something. For instance, "The table is made of wood and metal".

Common error

Avoid using "from" instead of "of" when describing the composition of something. It's correct to say "The statue is made of bronze", not "The statue is made from bronze", which implies a transformation process.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are made of" functions as a passive construction, indicating the composition or materials used in creating something. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. The subject receives the action of being created or composed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

24%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are made of" is a versatile and commonly used passive construction for describing the composition of objects and substances. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and applicable in various contexts. It is most frequently found in News & Media and Scientific sources. When writing, remember to use "of" rather than "from" to indicate composition, and consider related phrases like "consist of" or "comprise" to add variety to your writing. By following these guidelines, you can effectively use "are made of" to provide clear and informative descriptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

consist of

Emphasizes the components that constitute something.

comprise

Highlights the elements included within a whole.

are composed of

Similar to "are made of" but sounds more formal.

are constructed from

Focuses on the building or assembly process.

are formed from

Indicates the process of creation or formation.

are built of

Implies physical construction or creation.

are derived from

Highlights the origin or source material.

are created from

Emphasizes the act of creation or production.

are manufactured from

Focuses on industrial production or manufacturing.

are fashioned from

Suggests skillful creation or shaping.

FAQs

How do I use "are made of" in a sentence?

Use "are made of" to describe the materials or components that constitute something. For example, "Bricks "are made of" clay and sand".

What can I say instead of "are made of"?

You can use alternatives like "consist of", "comprise", or "are composed of" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "are made of" or "are made from"?

"Are made of" indicates the materials something is composed of, while "are made from" implies a transformation. For instance, "This toy "are made of" plastic" versus "Wine "are made from" grapes".

What's the difference between "are made of" and "are constructed from"?

"Are made of" is a general term for composition, while "are constructed from" emphasizes the process of building or assembling something. So, "The house "are made of" wood" is generally suitable, but "The bridge "are constructed from" steel and concrete" highlights the engineering aspect.