consists chiefly of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "consists chiefly of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the main components or elements of something, indicating that the majority of it is made up of specific items or features. Example: "The committee consists chiefly of experts in environmental science and policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

The population consists chiefly of Songhai people.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Mannheim school consists chiefly of two generations of composers.

Britannica

The book consists chiefly of letters from, to, or about Fishes, Stuyvesants & allied clans.

The New Yorker

It is not a memoir; it consists chiefly of lectures on war, edited for publication.

The New York Times - Books

Most sand consists chiefly of quartz, the commonest form of silica, but there are other kinds.

The New Yorker

The region in which Shivpuri is situated consists chiefly of forested hill ridges.

Britannica

Vegetation consists chiefly of shrubs, grasses, and a few acacia trees.

Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

The Bureau Ribbentrop consisted chiefly of me and just a few aides.

Yale University

French policy now towards America appears to consist chiefly of agreeing to disagree.

The Economist

The ruling class consisted chiefly of petty noblemen and affluent bourgeois.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Watch the compilation of Paxo's greatest hits and they consist chiefly of the grand inquisitor shredding politicians.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "consists chiefly of" to provide an overview of the main components, setting expectations for what will be discussed in more detail later.

Common error

Avoid using "consists chiefly of" when describing something composed entirely of the listed elements. If the components listed are exhaustive, use "consists entirely of" or "is composed of" for accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "consists chiefly of" functions as a predicate complement, specifying what a subject is primarily composed of. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is used to describe the main elements without excluding the possibility of other minor components.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

27%

News & Media

23%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Science

15%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "consists chiefly of" is a grammatically correct and widely used expression to indicate that something is mainly composed of specific components, without excluding other minor elements. As Ludwig AI validates, it functions as a predicate complement, providing information about the makeup of a subject. Its usage spans various contexts, including encyclopedias, news media, academia, and science, suggesting a neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, ensure you accurately represent the primary components while allowing for the possibility of other elements, and avoid using it when describing something made up entirely of the listed components.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mainly comprises

Replaces "consists" with "comprises" and "chiefly" with "mainly", focusing on the primary components.

largely composed of

Emphasizes the composition aspect with "composed of" and uses "largely" to convey the majority.

primarily made up of

Uses "made up of" as a more informal alternative to "consists", with "primarily" indicating the main part.

mostly includes

Replaces "consists" with "includes" and "chiefly" with "mostly", suggesting a focus on what is included.

is mainly formed by

Highlights the formation aspect and uses "mainly" to show the principal elements.

is principally composed of

Uses "principally" to highlight the main elements forming something.

chiefly encompasses

Replaces "consists of" with "encompasses", focusing on what is included in something.

is predominantly comprised of

Emphasizes "predominantly", showing the most significant components.

mainly constitutes

Uses "constitutes" to show the components and "mainly" to indicate the principal part.

substantially comprises

Highlights that the phrase is made up of a substantial amount of something

FAQs

How can I use "consists chiefly of" in a sentence?

Use "consists chiefly of" to indicate that something is mainly, but not entirely, made up of specific components. For example, "The team "consists chiefly of" experienced engineers and project managers".

What phrases are similar to "consists chiefly of"?

Alternatives include "mainly comprises", "largely composed of", or "primarily made up of". These phrases all suggest that something is mainly composed of certain elements, without excluding other minor components.

Is it correct to say "consists mainly of" instead of "consists chiefly of"?

Yes, "consists mainly of" is a perfectly acceptable alternative. The words "chiefly" and "mainly" are often interchangeable in this context, both indicating the primary components of something.

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

"Consists of" implies that the listed components are the only elements present. "Consists chiefly of", on the other hand, suggests that while the listed components are the primary ones, there may be other minor elements as well.