consist simply of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "consist simply of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is made up of only the specified elements or components, without any additional parts. Example: "The recipe for this dish will consist simply of flour, water, and salt."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

Originally, lightning was thought to consist simply of giant sparks.

The Economist

He gave a number of autographs which consist simply of "Rocky" written on any proffered surface.

The New Yorker

Most of these consist simply of Darnielle singing and playing his guitar.

The New Yorker

Other variations consist simply of meat and a generous serving of rich, thick peanut sauce.

Encyclopedia Britannica

States consist simply of objects having properties or standing in relations to other objects.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Ebooks can consist simply of the electronic text or may also contain extras, such as audio, video or hyperlinks.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

One especially wrenching moment consisted simply of her hugging her therapist's wife.

The Guardian - Film

They would come to him with a song, which consisted simply of a conventional chorus.

The Guardian - Music

"A Family of Perhaps Three" consists simply of thick paragraphs of Stein's circling, repetitive, recalcitrant prose.

The New York Times

It consists simply of words printed on the wall: "Make a Salad".

The New York Times

The adventure component consists simply of going from place to place and picking up everything you find.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "consist simply of" to clearly and concisely communicate that something is composed of only a few, basic elements, without any extraneous additions. This phrasing is particularly effective when contrasting with more complex compositions or processes.

Common error

Avoid using "consist simply of" when describing multifaceted concepts or processes. This phrase implies a basic composition, so using it for complex subjects can oversimplify and mislead your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "consist simply of" functions as a predicate in a sentence, specifying the essential components or elements that constitute a particular subject. Ludwig AI shows this phrase is commonly used to describe the basic makeup of something.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "consist simply of" is a phrase used to indicate that something is composed of only a few, basic elements. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used across various sources, including news, encyclopedias, and scientific publications. When writing, it's important to remember that while the phrase is effective for describing basic compositions, it should be avoided when explaining more complex subjects. Alternatives like "comprise merely of" or "be solely composed of" can provide similar meaning with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Comprise merely of

Replaces "consist" with "comprise" and "simply" with "merely" offering a slightly more formal tone.

Be solely composed of

Emphasizes exclusivity using "solely" and replaces "consist" with "composed of".

Be purely made up of

Uses "purely" to highlight the unmixed nature of the components and replaces "consist" with "made up of".

Entail just

More concise, using "entail" to mean include and "just" to mean only.

Involve no more than

Highlights limitation, indicating the absence of additional elements.

Be nothing but

Expresses the idea that there are no other components or ingredients than the one expressed.

Be fundamentally

Highlights the core, basic nature of what something is comprised of.

Boil down to

Suggests a reduction to essential elements, implying simplicity.

Reduce to

Similar to 'boil down to', emphasizing simplification and core elements.

Be essentially

Highlights the fundamental and necessary components.

FAQs

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

Use "consist simply of" to indicate that something is made up of only basic components or elements. For example: "The instructions for assembling the furniture "consist simply of" connecting the four legs to the tabletop."

What are some alternatives to "consist simply of"?

Alternatives include "comprise merely of", "be solely composed of", or "be purely made up of". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "consist of" or "comprise"?

While both can indicate composition, "consist of" means to be composed of, while "comprise" means to include or contain. Therefore, "The team consists of five members" and "The team comprises five members" are both correct, but subtly different. "Consist simply of" emphasizes the limited nature of the components.

When is it inappropriate to use "consist simply of"?

Avoid using "consist simply of" when the subject actually involves complexity or numerous elements. Doing so may oversimplify the concept and mislead your audience. Choose a more appropriate phrase that reflects the true complexity, or add "does not consist simply of..." to be more specific.