consisted

USAGE SUMMARY

'consisted' is a valid and usable word in written English.
It is a verb used to describe something that is made up of different parts or components. Example: The meal consisted of a salad, a main dish, and a dessert.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Political leaders around the world have had much to say since Snowden began his revelations, but not one statement that consisted of "I regret subjecting my own people to these procedures".

The Guardian - Tech

The interior was equally prosaic: the set consisted of a six-metre stretch of starship corridor.

The Guardian - Film

That evidence consisted of secret recordings made by Kennedy of the activists' private meetings.

The Guardian

This was what we'd been led to expect – Dobson, starring in the reconstructions, had been trailed as the mature foil to youthful presenter Dan Snow, who steered the documentary segments; much of Armada's pre-publicity consisted of Dobson granting "exclusive" insights into the four hours she'd spent in makeup each day, layering on wrinkles, "leather-spots" and blackened teeth.

The Guardian - Opinion

However, a witness who was present when Lachlan Murdoch spoke to O'Chee said the conversation was brief and consisted of "polite hellos".

The Guardian

While she was speaking, I noticed that the audience consisted of a large number of Japanese women, who had come in from neighbouring offices to see her.

The Guardian

Initially, it consisted largely of bamboo, but it has evolved to include introductions such as Canna iridiflora.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

As Laura Miller wrote in Salon: "In Kyle's version of the Iraq war, the parties consisted of Americans, who are good by virtue of being American, and fanatic Muslims whose 'savage, despicable evil' led them to want to kill Americans simply because they are Christians".

The Guardian - Opinion

Meltdown, complete with an Allen key hurled into oblivion, came on Friday, when a box from John Lewis containing a seesaw claiming to be "easy to assemble" actually consisted of a brain-exploding puzzle of 80 bars, bolts, screws and washers of infinitesimally different sizes.

The Guardian - Opinion

My playground, carefully curated by my undertaker father, consisted of rooms full of gleaming coffins, the neon glare of brightly coloured embalming fluid bottles, and the bodies, always the bodies.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

This consisted of six huge iron boxes containing fibreglass depictions of scenes from his 81 days in a Chinese prison, complete with guards and cell-beds.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "consisted" to clearly indicate the elements or components that make up a whole. Ensure the context provides sufficient detail about what is being described and what it comprises.

Common error

Avoid using "consisted of in". The correct form is "consisted of". For example, say "The team consisted of five members" not "The team consisted of in five members".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "consisted" is that of a past tense verb. It indicates that something was composed of certain elements or components at a specific point in time. Ludwig shows numerous examples of its use in describing the composition of various entities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "consisted" is a past tense verb that describes the composition or makeup of something at a specific time. It is grammatically correct and very common in written English, as affirmed by Ludwig. Its usage spans various contexts, from news and media to formal business settings, with a neutral register. Ludwig's examples showcase its versatility and provide practical insights into its usage, making it a reliable choice for clear and accurate communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was composed of

Emphasizes the act of forming or creating something from different elements.

was made up of

Highlights the components that constitute the whole, focusing on the constituent parts.

comprised of

Similar to "was composed of", but can sometimes imply a more formal or structured arrangement.

included

Suggests that the mentioned items were part of a larger set, without necessarily being all-inclusive.

featured

Emphasizes that certain elements were a prominent or noticeable part of the whole.

contained

Focuses on the elements held within something, often used for physical or abstract inclusions.

encompassed

Indicates that something covered or included a wide range of elements.

incorporated

Suggests that elements were integrated or combined into a unified whole.

embodied

Highlights that certain qualities or characteristics were represented in a tangible form.

consisted in

This variation focuses on the essence or inherent nature of something, rather than its composition.

FAQs

How to use "consisted" in a sentence?

Use "consisted" to describe what something is made of. For example, "The committee consisted of experts from various fields".

What can I say instead of "consisted of"?

You can use alternatives like "was composed of", "was made up of", or "comprised of" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "consisted in"?

Yes, "consisted in" is correct, but it has a slightly different meaning than "consisted of". "Consisted in" refers to the essential nature or substance of something, while "consisted of" refers to the components it is made of.

What is the difference between "consisted of" and "included"?

"Consisted of" means that something is entirely composed of the mentioned elements. "Included" means that the mentioned elements were part of something, but not necessarily the only parts.