consists

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "consists" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate the components or elements that make up a whole. Example: "The committee consists of five members who represent different departments."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The template data consists of three to four consistent elements and then some variant data that is used in multivariate testing.

The Guardian

For us, a release consists of both sending signed binaries to Maven Central and publishing a useful changelog on the web.

The Guardian

That they bank on only one main capable guy, while the police force consists of many officers?" BS: "Certain situations demand a certain mix of skills.

The Guardian

The unglamorous consists of all those things in the city that we take very little note of, but which are absolutely essential for our lives and our identities.

The Guardian - Tech

We have a well established War Crimes Community Involvement Panel that consists of law enforcement, NGOs and others which has been cited internationally as an example of good practice.

The Guardian

Each triangle consists of two layers of fabric.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Searchers for Robert Peston's weighty thoughts on Twitter (at @peston) may now find themselves looking at @robpestonhair ("keeping the brain of the BBC's economics editor warm, changing styles like he changes his coat") by mistake – a site that, confusingly, largely consists of retweets of genuine Pesto.

The Guardian

It consists of 144 sprucewood columns that mark out and populate Mies's steel-and-glass pavilion.

The Guardian - Arts

The "make-up" of the three Cabinet ministers is as close an approximation as possible to the features, dress, and manners of the originals, and the fun of the thing consists partly in placing them in ridiculous situations, and partly in making them utter ludicrous exaggerations of the sentiments which they are supposed to profess or act upon in their public conduct.

The Guardian

Its graphic representation consists of a series of three circles, the innermost of which should be occupied by developed countries with absolute, economy-wide targets; the middle one, by emerging economies, with intensity, per capita or relative reduction targets; and the outer circle, by other developing countries, with non-economy-wide targets.

The Guardian

Too bad, however: Lawrence now consists of 300 greasy bacon strips, which start following Sparky around, dispensing sage advice.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "consists", ensure clarity by specifying all the key elements included. For example, "The project consists of planning, execution, and review."

Common error

Avoid using "consists" when your list isn't exhaustive. If other elements exist, consider "includes" or "features" instead to avoid misrepresenting the content.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "consists" is as a verb in the third-person singular present tense. It typically introduces the elements or components that constitute a whole. As Ludwig AI indicates, this usage is correct and common, as illustrated in numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the verb "consists" is used to indicate the components of something, and Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct and widely used. It is most frequently found in news and media but is suitable for various contexts due to its neutral register. To enhance clarity, ensure that you provide an exhaustive list when using "consists", and consider alternatives like "includes" if the list is not comprehensive. Common mistakes include incomplete lists, which can be avoided by using more inclusive terms when necessary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

comprises

A more concise and formal way of saying something includes or contains certain elements.

is composed of

Emphasizes the elements that make up the whole; focuses on the act of composing.

constitutes

A more formal way of saying something makes up or forms a part of a whole.

is comprised of

Similar to "is composed of", but can sometimes be considered less formal. Emphasizes inclusion.

is made up of

An informal alternative that stresses the components forming a whole.

includes

Highlights that something is part of a larger group, possibly without being exhaustive.

is formed from

Indicates the materials or elements used to create something.

contains

Focuses on what is held within something, whether as a part or as the whole.

encompasses

Suggests a more comprehensive inclusion of elements or aspects.

features

Highlights specific attributes or characteristics that are part of something.

FAQs

How is "consists" used in a sentence?

The word "consists" is used to indicate what something is made up of. For example, "The team "consists of five members"."

What are some alternatives to the word "consists"?

Some alternatives to "consists" include "comprises", "includes", "is composed of", and "is made up of". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "consists of" or just "consists"?

While "consists" can be used alone, it's more common and often clearer to use "consists of" to explicitly introduce the components or elements.

What's the difference between "consists of" and "includes"?

"Consists of" typically presents a complete list of components, while ""includes"" suggests that there may be other unmentioned parts.