consists mainly of

USAGE SUMMARY

"consists mainly of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something is made up of mostly one thing or element. For example, "This dish consists mainly of vegetables."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The vegetation consists mainly of thorn trees.

The Guardian

That is because the audience consists, mainly, of investors.

The New York Times - Magazine

The sauce consists mainly of yogurt and herbs.

The New York Times

Architecture, after all, consists mainly of abstract forms.

The New York Times - Books

Sunfish: The facts * Their diet consists mainly of jellyfish.

Independent

Central Florianópolis consists mainly of wharves, warehouses, and business establishments.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Public transport consists mainly of packed, decrepit buses.

The Economist

The population consists mainly of Javanese, Sundanese, and Balinese Muslims.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The population consists mainly of Buginese and Makasarese.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The former consists mainly of small patrol vessels.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Décor is sparse and consists mainly of ominously cloudy skies.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "consists mainly of", ensure that the components you list represent the majority of the subject. This helps maintain accuracy and avoids misleading the reader about the composition.

Common error

Avoid using "consists mainly of" if the listed components don't truly represent the majority. Instead, use phrases like "includes" or "features" to indicate partial composition.

Linguistic Context

"Consists mainly of" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating the primary composition of a subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to specify that something is largely, but not exclusively, made up of certain elements. For instance, 'The diet consists mainly of vegetables'.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

34%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "consists mainly of" is a versatile phrase used to describe the primary components of something. It's grammatically correct and widely accepted, as verified by Ludwig AI. The phrase sees frequent use across diverse contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedias, indicating its broad applicability. To use it effectively, ensure that the listed components genuinely represent the majority of the subject. While it is generally used, remember there are multiple alternatives such as "is primarily composed of" if you need a change in wording or sentence structure. It's a handy tool for providing clarity and detail in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is primarily composed of

Emphasizes the composition aspect, using 'primarily' instead of 'mainly'.

is largely made up of

Uses a more informal tone with 'made up of' while maintaining the meaning.

is chiefly comprised of

Replaces 'mainly' with 'chiefly', offering a slightly more formal alternative.

is predominantly formed by

Focuses on the formation aspect, useful when describing how something comes to be.

mainly encompasses

Shifts the focus to what is included or covered by something.

is essentially composed of

Highlights the fundamental components, using 'essentially' for emphasis.

is fundamentally based on

Implies a foundational element, suitable when discussing underlying principles.

is mostly constituted of

Offers a formal synonym, replacing 'mainly' with 'mostly' and 'consists' with 'constituted'.

is primarily a function of

Changes the focus to the functional aspect of the main components.

is substantially characterized by

Focuses on the defining characteristics of something.

FAQs

What does "consists mainly of" mean?

The phrase "consists mainly of" means that something is primarily composed of certain elements or components. It implies that while other elements might be present, the mentioned ones form the largest part.

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

You can use "consists mainly of" to describe the composition of something. For example, "The Earth's atmosphere "consists mainly of nitrogen and oxygen"".

Are there alternatives to saying "consists mainly of"?

Yes, you can use alternatives such as "is primarily composed of", "is largely made up of", or "is chiefly comprised of". The best choice depends on the specific context and the level of formality required.

What is the difference between "consists mainly of" and "consists entirely of"?

"Consists mainly of" indicates that the specified components form the majority, while "consists entirely of" means that only those components are present, with no other elements included.