consisting solely of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "consisting 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 without any additions. Example: "The recipe requires a mixture consisting solely of flour, water, and salt."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Alec board, consisting solely of state legislators, rejected the gambling plan.

The Guardian

Negative electrodes consisting solely of aluminium performed even worse.

Electrochimica Acta

Establish a separate nominating/governance committee consisting solely of independent directors (required by NYSE rules).

Harvard University

They found Gedeon Richter, a Hungarian firm, to make a pill consisting solely of a synthetic hormone, a progestin.

The New York Times

Over the two-year period, 400 cases could be heard by panels consisting solely of investor peers.

The New York Times

"We should make every effort," he said, "not to have a jury consisting solely of retirees and volunteers".

The New York Times

This six player double rounder was originally conceived as consisting solely of ex-world champions plus Judit Polgar.

The Guardian - Sport

When not fed a diet consisting solely of royal jelly, virgin queens will develop into workers.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The songs of the trouvères were monophonic (consisting solely of melodic line).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Most hydrogen atoms have a nucleus consisting solely of a proton.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In response to this proposal, the MFW board formed a special committee consisting solely of independent directors.

Columbia University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "consisting solely of" to clearly and precisely define the composition of something when it includes only specific elements and nothing else. This avoids ambiguity and ensures clarity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "consisting solely of" when the list of elements is not exhaustive. If there are other elements, even minor ones, a phrase like "consisting primarily of" or "mostly made up of" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "consisting solely of" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun, indicating the exclusive composition of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and clearly defines what something is entirely made of.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

28%

News & Media

28%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

12%

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "consisting solely of" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to indicate that something is exclusively composed of specific elements. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is suitable for various contexts, ranging from scientific writing to news reports. When using the phrase, ensure that the list of elements is indeed exhaustive to avoid misleading the reader. Consider alternatives like "composed exclusively of" or "made up entirely of" for slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

composed exclusively of

Emphasizes the exclusive nature of the composition.

made up entirely of

Highlights the completeness of the components.

comprising only

Focuses on the limited elements that make up the whole.

exclusively made of

Highlights the exclusive material used to make something.

entirely composed of

Stresses the wholeness of the composition.

solely constituted of

Formal alternative emphasizing the components.

only consisting of

Reorders the phrase to place emphasis on 'only'.

limited to

Highlights the restriction to certain elements.

exclusively containing

Focuses on the content and its exclusive nature.

restricted to

Emphasizes limitation or constraint.

FAQs

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

Use "consisting solely of" to indicate that something is made up of only the items you list, with no other additions. For example, "The meal was "consisting solely of" rice and beans."

What is a good alternative to "consisting solely of"?

Alternatives include "composed exclusively of", "made up entirely of", or "comprising only". Choose the best fit based on the specific context and desired emphasis.

Is it correct to say "consisting of solely"?

While understandable, "consisting of solely" is less common and can sound awkward. "Consisting solely of" is the preferred and more grammatically sound construction.

What is the difference between "consisting solely of" and "consisting primarily of"?

"Consisting solely of" means that something is made up only of the listed items. "Consisting primarily of", on the other hand, means that the listed items are the main components, but there may be other, less significant elements present.