be made out of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be made out of" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe the material composition of an object or substance. Example: "The sculpture is made out of recycled materials, showcasing creativity and sustainability."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

And often something can be made out of almost nothing.

The New York Times - Arts

Boots can be made out of almost anything.

Forbes

Bubble wands don't have to be made out of plastic.

WikiHow

It should also be made out of plastic, instead of terra cotta or similar materials.

WikiHow

Mountains will be made out of molehills.

The Guardian - Opinion

There are fortunes to be made out of active lifestyles.

The Guardian - Opinion

It will be made out of the hull of a Saturn booster rocket.

The New Yorker

Diptychs, triptychs or quads may be made out of a single image.

The New York Times - Tech

To wireless customers, cellphone networks might seem to be made out of thin air.

The New York Times - Tech

Another will be made out of cob, and a third faced with old license plates.

The New Yorker

The bar upstairs is going to be made out of old church furniture.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be made out of" to clearly specify the materials or components that constitute an object or entity. For example, "The house is made out of bricks and mortar".

Common error

Avoid using "be made out of" when describing abstract qualities or characteristics. It's more appropriate for physical composition. Instead of "The decision was made out of fear", use "The decision was driven by fear".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be made out of" serves as a descriptive element in sentences. It functions to specify the materials or substances used in the creation or composition of a particular object or entity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically sound construction for indicating material components.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Wiki

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

8%

Reference

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be made out of" is a versatile and grammatically correct construction used to describe the material composition of objects or entities. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples across diverse sources. It is most commonly found in news, wiki and scientific content, indicating its broad applicability. While alternatives like "be composed of" or "be constructed from" exist, "be made out of" remains a straightforward and widely understood way to specify what something consists of, making it a valuable tool for clear and concise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be composed of

Focuses on the constituent elements of something.

be constructed from

Emphasizes the process of building or assembling something.

consist of

A more concise way to express the components of something.

comprise of

Similar to "consist of", but can sometimes imply completeness.

be manufactured from

Highlights the industrial process of creating something.

be fashioned from

Suggests a more artistic or crafted creation.

be formed from

Focuses on the resulting shape or structure.

be built with

Highlights the materials used in construction.

be created using

Emphasizes the method and materials used.

be derived from

Focuses on the origin or source materials.

FAQs

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

Use "be made out of" to describe the materials or components that something is composed of. For instance, "The table is "made out of wood"" or "The statue is "made out of bronze"".

What are some alternatives to "be made out of"?

Alternatives include "be composed of", "be constructed from", or "consist of". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

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

Both "be made from" and "be made out of" are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "Be made from" typically refers to a transformation of the original material, while "be made out of" refers to the materials used without significant alteration. For example, wine is "made from grapes" (transformed), while a box is "made out of cardboard" (not transformed).

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

"Be made of" is more general and can refer to both the material composition and the essential qualities of something. "Be made out of" specifically refers to the materials used in construction. For example, "The house is "made of stone"" (material) versus "The house is "made out of stone"" (constructed from stone pieces). Or, you might say a person is "made of stern stuff" (qualities).