consists of

USAGE SUMMARY

"consists of" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to explain that something is made up of multiple parts. For example: "The class consists of 25 students."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Sunday breakfast consists of juicing.

The New York Times

Staff consists of six salesladies.

The New Yorker

Milton consists of "Paradise Lost".

The New Yorker

The series consists of 17 races.

The New York Times - Sports

A Scattering consists of four poetic sequences.

The Guardian - Books

Mycelium consists of threadlike cells called hyphae.

The New Yorker

The journey consists of three legs.

The New York Times - Magazine

The project actually consists of two structures.

The New York Times

The landscape consists of three regions.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The process consists of four sequential steps.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Togo consists of six geographic regions.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "consists of" to clearly define the elements or components that make up a whole. For example, "The team consists of experienced engineers and designers."

Common error

Avoid using redundant prepositions after "consists of". For example, do not say "The group consists of of members"; the correct usage is "The group consists of members".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "consists of" functions as a linking verb connecting the subject to a description of its parts or components. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is suitable for use in written English. This phrase highlights the constituent elements of a subject.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Encyclopedias

22%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

18%

Formal & Business

8%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "consists of" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to describe the composition of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is appropriate for written English and widely accepted. It's commonly found in News & Media, encyclopedias and scientific sources, but can also be found in more informal writing like Wikipedia. When writing with "consists of", ensure clarity by avoiding redundancy and selecting the most appropriate alternative if a more formal tone is required. Ludwig can assist you in finding real-world examples to improve your writing and ensure accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is composed of

Replaces "consists" with "is composed", adding a passive voice construction.

is made up of

Similar to "is composed of", emphasizing the components that form something.

is comprised of

Another passive form, very similar to "is composed of" and "is made up of".

comprises

Uses a single verb instead of the phrasal verb "consists of", offering a more concise alternative.

is constituted by

A more formal and passive way of saying something is formed or created by certain elements.

includes

Suggests a broader scope of containing something, rather than being entirely made up of it.

features

Highlights specific elements or aspects that are part of something.

incorporates

Implies a blending or integration of different elements into a whole.

encompasses

Indicates a wider scope, suggesting that something includes a variety of elements.

entails

Focuses on what something necessarily involves or includes as a consequence.

FAQs

How do I use "consists of" in a sentence?

Use "consists of" to indicate what something is made up of. For example, "The project "consists of" three phases."

What's a more formal alternative to "consists of"?

For a more formal tone, you can use phrases like "is composed of" or "comprises".

Is it correct to say "consists in" instead of "consists of"?

While "consists of" refers to the components of something, "consists in" means something is found or lies within something else. For example, "Happiness "consists in" contentment."

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

"Consists of" implies that something is entirely made up of certain components, while "includes" suggests that something contains those elements, but may also contain others.