be made of

USAGE SUMMARY

'be made of' is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used in the passive form, meaning to assemble from components or to have a composition of a particular material. Example: This necklace is made of silver.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They appeared to be made of straw.

The New Yorker

"He seemed to be made of steel.

The New Yorker

What would the bench be made of?

The Guardian

Academia should be made of sterner stuff.

The New York Times

"Too much can be made of velocity.

The New York Times - Sports

You have to be made of steel.

The New York Times - Science

What can be made of that?

The New Yorker

Memorials need not be made of stone.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Should they be made of chalk?

The New York Times - Books

Gardens: must lawns be made of grass?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

What is to be made of this?

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using synonyms like "consist of" or "comprise" for variety, but ensure the substitute maintains the intended meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "be made from" when describing the physical components of something. "Be made from" is usually reserved for describing something where the original material has been transformed. It is more correct to say "The table is made of wood" rather than "The table is made from wood" if the wood is still visibly wood.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be made of" functions primarily as a passive verb phrase. It describes the composition or material that something consists of. As Ludwig AI confirms, the examples illustrate a variety of contexts, showing its broad applicability in defining substance and qualities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Academia

28%

Science

22%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be made of" is a common and grammatically sound passive verb phrase used to describe the composition or constituent materials of something. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is widely applicable across diverse contexts, particularly in news, academia, and science. While "be made out of" is sometimes used, "be made of" is typically preferred for its conciseness. Common errors include misusing "be made from" when "be made of" is more appropriate. Remember to describe with "be made of" the materials or components that constitute an object or entity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

consist of

Focuses on the components that constitute something.

comprised of

Similar to 'consist of', but often used when the components form a whole.

composed of

Emphasizes the act of forming something from multiple elements.

constructed from

Highlights the building or assembly process using specific materials.

built from

Similar to 'constructed from', implying a process of creation.

constituted by

Emphasizes the elements that legally or formally make up something.

formed from

Focuses on the process of something taking shape from certain materials.

comprise

Expresses the elements that make up a whole, avoiding the passive voice.

is manufactured from

Highlights the manufacturing process and the source materials.

is fashioned from

Implies that an object is created or constructed from something.

FAQs

How can I use "be made of" in a sentence?

Use "be made of" to describe the materials or qualities something possesses. For example, "The statue is "be made of bronze"" or "Heroes are "be made of strong character"".

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

"Be made of" indicates the materials that are visible in the final product. "Be made from" implies the original material has been altered or transformed. Example: "The chair is "be made of wood"" (wood is still wood), but "Paper is "be made from wood"" (wood is processed into paper).

What are some alternatives to "be made of"?

Alternatives include "consist of", "comprised of", "composed of", or "constructed from", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "be made out of" instead of "be made of"?

While "be made out of" is sometimes used, "be made of" is generally considered more standard and concise. "Be made out of" can imply a more elaborate construction process. Both are acceptable but "be made of" is often preferred for simplicity.