consist primarily of

USAGE SUMMARY

"consist primarily of" is correct and commonly used in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize that something is primarily made up of a set of items or components. For example: "The new menu will consist primarily of vegetarian options."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Sadly, the audiences are small and seem to consist primarily of participants and faculty.

The New York Times - Arts

According to a 22 August NYPD Memorandum of Law, these undercover communications "consist primarily of immediate impressions concerning ongoing events".

The Guardian

The building materials consist primarily of painted concrete block and red tidewater cypress, and the price includes the original blueprints.

The New York Times

This year's celebration will consist primarily of this sort of consciousness-raising.

The New York Times - Arts

Although natural fats consist primarily of glycerides, they contain many other lipids in minor quantities.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Communications facilities for telemetry consist primarily of radio or wire links.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Regional industries consist primarily of sugar and oil processing and cotton spinning and weaving.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Imports consist primarily of foodstuffs, consumer goods, machinery (largely mining and transport equipment), and fuel.

Encyclopedia Britannica

H II regions consist primarily of hydrogen, but they also contain measurable amounts of other gases.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Cultural activities consist primarily of poetry, folk dancing, the performance of plays, and singing.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They consist primarily of fine aluminum oxide grains, which are bonded together.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "consist primarily of" to clearly indicate the main elements of a subject, making it easier for readers to grasp the core composition or makeup of that subject.

Common error

Avoid listing only some of the primary components when using "consist primarily of". Ensure your list covers the majority of the essential elements to provide a complete and accurate representation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "consist primarily of" functions as a prepositional phrase that indicates the main components or elements that make up something. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is used to emphasize that something is mainly composed of specific items or components, as seen in the examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

28%

Encyclopedias

19%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "consist primarily of" is a versatile phrase used to denote the main components or elements of something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts. As highlighted by the examples, it is frequently found in scientific, news media, and encyclopedia sources, signaling its appropriateness for both neutral and formal communication. For clarity, ensure that your list of primary components is both accurate and comprehensive. While alternatives like "mainly comprise" exist, "consist primarily of" remains a clear and effective choice for indicating composition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

substantially consist of

Indicates a considerable portion of the whole.

mainly comprise

Emphasizes the components that constitute the majority of something.

largely compose

Highlights the significant elements that make up something.

chiefly include

Focuses on the primary items that are part of a collection or set.

principally involve

Indicates the main activities or elements that are part of a process or situation.

primarily encompass

Suggests a broad inclusion, with the focus on the most important aspects.

essentially be

Highlights the fundamental nature or composition of something.

generally constitute

Implies a common or typical composition of something.

mostly embody

Suggests that something is a representation of key characteristics.

fundamentally contain

Focuses on the basic components found within something.

FAQs

How can I use "consist primarily of" in a sentence?

Use "consist primarily of" to indicate the main components or ingredients of something. For example, "The Earth's atmosphere "consists primarily of" nitrogen and oxygen".

What are some alternatives to "consist primarily of"?

Alternatives include phrases like "mainly comprise", "largely compose", or "chiefly include", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "consist of primarily"?

No, the correct phrasing is "consist primarily of". The adverb 'primarily' should come before the preposition 'of'.

What's the difference between "consist primarily of" and "consist solely of"?

"Consist primarily of" indicates that something is mainly composed of certain elements but may include others, while "consist solely of" means it's made up of only those elements, with nothing else included.