composed solely of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "composed solely of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to specify that something is made up entirely of certain elements or components. Example: "The sculpture is composed solely of recycled materials, showcasing the artist's commitment to sustainability."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

How do you read through a newspaper composed solely of lies?

The New Yorker

It took a devious Frenchman, Pierre Bayle, to conceive of an encyclopedia composed solely of errors.

The New Yorker

All-volunteer force (AVF), military force composed solely of volunteers, without resorting to a military draft.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mossbourne's main advantage over Hackney Downs is that its pupils are not composed solely of reluctant conscripts.

The Guardian

In official ceremonies, and in countless photographs, posters and billboards, the royal family seems to be composed solely of men.

The New York Times

Visualizing this story in architectural terms helped me understand how structure isn't composed solely of beginning, middle and end.

The New York Times

The National Assembly was composed solely of government supporters, and Salazar chose his own ministers, whose work he closely supervised.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In May researchers in Egypt and India began testing a new polio vaccine composed solely of type 1 virus.

Encyclopedia Britannica

From that time until the 20th century, Roman Catholic Church choirs were composed solely of men and boys.

Encyclopedia Britannica

And now the decision as to whether they will have it is to be made by a committee composed solely of Enron directors.

The New York Times

This polymeric sulfur nitride is unusual because, even though it is composed solely of two nonmetals, it exhibits some properties normally associated only with metals.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "composed solely of", ensure that the components you are specifying are the only elements present. Avoid using it when there are other minor or implied components.

Common error

Avoid phrases like "composed solely and only of..." as "solely" already implies exclusivity. Using both words creates unnecessary redundancy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "composed solely of" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or noun phrase. It specifies the exclusive components or elements that constitute the subject. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is both correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

31%

Encyclopedias

14%

Less common in

Wiki

11%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "composed solely of" is a grammatically sound and frequently used prepositional phrase that indicates something is made up entirely of specific elements. As affirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is suitable for various writing contexts, though it tends to appear more often in scientific, news, and encyclopedia sources. When using "composed solely of", ensure you are accurately representing the exclusive nature of the components. Common alternatives include "composed entirely of" and "composed only of". Avoid redundancy by not pairing "solely" with "only" or other similar words.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

composed purely of

Emphasizes the unmixed or unadulterated nature of the composition.

composed entirely of

Highlights the completeness of the composition, suggesting nothing else is included.

composed only of

Focuses on the exclusivity of the components, limiting the composition to just those elements.

composed just of

Similar to "composed only of" but with a slightly more informal tone.

composed wholly of

Indicates the entire substance or entity is made up of the specified components.

constituted solely of

A more formal alternative, emphasizing the fundamental elements that form the whole.

comprising solely of

Indicates the elements that are included within the whole, with exclusivity.

composed completely of

Highlights that the composition is entirely and fully made up of specific components.

constructed solely of

Focuses on the act of building or creating something using only specific components.

consisting solely of

Specifies that the components that make up something are exclusively those mentioned.

FAQs

What does "composed solely of" mean?

The phrase "composed solely of" means that something is made up entirely and exclusively of the specified elements or components, with nothing else included.

How can I use "composed solely of" in a sentence?

You can use "composed solely of" to describe the components of an object, mixture, or group. For instance, "The committee was "composed solely of" independent experts."

What are some alternatives to "composed solely of"?

Alternatives include "composed entirely of", "consisting solely of", or "made up entirely of", depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "composed solely of" and "composed mainly of"?

"Composed solely of" means something consists only of certain elements, while "composed mainly of" indicates that those elements are the primary components, but others may also be present.