consists predominantly of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "consists predominantly 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 characteristics. Example: "The committee consists predominantly of experts in environmental science, ensuring that all decisions are informed by the latest research."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Academia

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The collection consists predominantly of printed works published before 1796.

Yale University

"Surely a library that consists predominantly of classics" should not be seen as inadequate, he wrote.

The New York Times

It is early afternoon, and the crowd consists predominantly of women.

The Guardian

Enamel, when mature, consists predominantly of apatite crystals containing calcium and phosphate.

Britannica

Natural vegetation in the eastern mountain zone consists predominantly of mixed coniferous and broad-leaved forests.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The second series, Photographs and Other Media, consists predominantly of photographs of Merritt at various professional meetings and Columbia events.

Columbia University

Today the population consists predominantly of the descendants of those slaves, with a small proportion of people of mixed African and European descent.

Britannica

Anaerobic biodegradation of phenanthrene (PHE) was investigated using an enrichment culture consists predominantly of sulfate-reducing bacteria (87±6%6%).

Journal of Hazardous Materials

The fibrous structure consists predominantly of hydroxyapatite with an average crystal size of almost 10 to 30 nm.

Materials Letters

We first show that the OTC market consists predominantly of micro-cap stocks that exhibit low market liquidity, negative stock returns, and high return volatility.

Columbia University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The north of Jinan consists predominantly of artificial river channels used for irrigation.

Journal of Hydrology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "consists predominantly of", ensure the context clearly indicates that while the stated elements are the majority, other minor components may also be present. This avoids misleading the reader into thinking it's an exclusive composition.

Common error

Avoid using "consists predominantly of" when the composition is nearly exclusive. In such cases, "consists entirely of" or "is exclusively made up of" would be more accurate to prevent any ambiguity about the components.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "consists predominantly of" functions as a descriptive phrase that specifies the main components or elements that constitute something. It indicates that while other elements may be present, the stated ones form the majority. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

49%

Academia

14%

Encyclopedias

11%

Less common in

News & Media

15%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "consists predominantly of" is a versatile descriptive tool used to indicate the primary components of something. As verified by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically sound and frequently used across various contexts, particularly in scientific and academic writing. While highly versatile, remember to use this structure to show not only the major elements, but at the same time not exclude a few components. To avoid ambiguity, do not use it when something is near exclusive.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is mainly composed of

This alternative uses a more common and straightforward expression to convey the same meaning, focusing on the composition of something.

is primarily made up of

This option emphasizes the constituents of something, highlighting the primary elements that form it.

is largely comprised of

Focuses on the major components without necessarily excluding minor components, similar to the original phrase.

is chiefly composed of

This alternative uses "chiefly" to emphasize the main components, providing a slightly more formal tone.

is essentially composed of

Highlights the essential or fundamental components, suggesting that these are the most important.

is fundamentally made of

Underscores the basic elements or building blocks that constitute the subject.

mainly encompasses

Implies that the subject includes or contains mainly the described elements.

is predominantly constituted by

A more formal and slightly complex way of saying the same thing, focusing on the constitution of the subject.

is mainly characterized by

Shifts the focus to the defining features or characteristics of something.

is primarily defined by

Similar to the previous, this highlights what predominantly defines the subject rather than its composition.

FAQs

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

Use "consists predominantly of" to describe something whose major part is made up of certain elements. For example, "The team consists predominantly of senior engineers" means that most of the team members are senior engineers.

What are some alternatives to "consists predominantly of"?

You can use alternatives like "is mainly composed of", "is primarily made up of", or "is largely comprised of" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "comprises predominantly of"?

While "comprises" and "consists of" are similar, "comprises predominantly of" is less common. It is generally better to stick to "consists predominantly of" or rephrase the sentence for clarity.

What's the difference between "consists predominantly of" and "consists entirely of"?

"Consists predominantly of" indicates that something is mainly, but not completely, made up of certain elements. "Consists entirely of", on the other hand, means that something is exclusively made up of those elements; there are no other components.