consist of

USAGE SUMMARY

"consist of" is a perfectly acceptable phrase to use in written English.
It is used when speaking about what a certain group or thing is comprised of. For example, "The family consists of four members."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What do they consist of?

The New Yorker

What did they consist of?

The New York Times

What does treatment consist of?

The New York Times

They consist of clayey sandstones.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Deltas typically consist of three components.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But what does free will consist of?

Encyclopedia Britannica

The lyrics often consist of counting.

Independent

What will the training consist of?

The Guardian - Opinion

What does your diet consist of?

The New York Times

The fossils consist of two skull fragments.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Endotoxins consist of lipopolysaccharide and lipoprotein complexes.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "consist of" to indicate that something is entirely composed of certain elements. If you want to suggest that these elements are just a part of the whole, consider using "include" instead.

Common error

Avoid redundant phrases like "consist of from". The phrase "consist of" already implies that the listed items are part of the whole, so adding "from" is unnecessary and grammatically incorrect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "consist of" functions as a phrasal verb, indicating that something is composed or made up of specific elements. Ludwig shows numerous examples across diverse contexts illustrating this function. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

25%

News & Media

22%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Science

18%

Formal & Business

10%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "consist of" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to denote the composition of something. Ludwig provides ample evidence of its usage across diverse domains, including encyclopedias, news media, science, and wikis, indicating its versatility. As Ludwig AI confirms, "consist of" is perfectly acceptable in written English for describing what a subject is comprised of. When writing, remember to maintain subject-verb agreement and avoid redundancy. For variety, "alternatives to" "consist of" include "be composed of" or "comprise". This ensures clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be composed of

Emphasizes the elements that make up the whole.

be made up of

Highlights the act of creation or assembly.

comprise

Indicates that the whole includes the listed parts.

be constituted of

A more formal synonym emphasizing the components.

include

Suggests the listed items are part of a larger group.

contain

Implies the presence of elements within something.

incorporate

Focuses on the integration of elements.

be formed from

Stresses the origin or material of construction.

be structured around

Highlights the organizational principle.

be characterized by

Indicates prominent features or traits.

FAQs

How do I use "consist of" in a sentence?

Use "consist of" to describe what something is made up of. For example, "The committee "is composed of" five members" or "The meal "includes" three courses".

What's the difference between "consist of" and "comprise"?

"Consist of" means to be composed of, while "comprise" means to include or contain. You can say "The cake "is made up of" flour, sugar, and eggs" or "The cake comprises flour, sugar, and eggs". However, it's incorrect to say "The cake is comprised of flour, sugar, and eggs", although commonly heard.

What can I say instead of "consist of"?

Alternatives to "consist of" "are composed of", "are made up of", "include", or "comprise", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "consist of from"?

No, it is redundant and grammatically incorrect. The correct usage is simply "consist of". For example, "The solution "is made from" water and salt" is incorrect, while "The solution consists of water and salt" is correct.