constitutes

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "constitutes" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to mean "to make up or form the whole of" and is usually followed by a noun. For example: "The four walls of this room constitutes the whole structure."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's a simple truth, but lost on people who "lead", that all progress requires change but not all change constitutes progress.

The Guardian

"This incident constitutes a potential breach of operational security and potentially the commission of a criminal offence under the commonwealth Crimes Act," an officer from the defence security authority wrote.

The Guardian

It is surely within PEN's remit to decide if Charlie Hebdo's commitment to the images (racist or not) constitutes courage.

The Guardian - Opinion

But not every group of people walking in the same direction constitutes a march.

The Guardian - Opinion

The first thing is that the process of enhancing teaching and learning in the primary years may require a change of hearts and minds about what constitutes good maths teaching and (quite often) the suspension of prior beliefs.

The Guardian

It is not easy to even begin to quantify what constitutes just reparations for horrors such as slavery in America, apartheid in South Africa and the Nazi Holocaust in Europe; yet that is the ethical question raised when the past pushes its way, uncomfortably, into the present.

The Guardian - Opinion

On Thursday, HMRC estimated that, under its definition of what constitutes tax avoidance, £5bn had been lost last year — the same amount as for 2009-10.

The Guardian - Business

Clearly, there is a debate to be had about what constitutes behaviour likely to cause someone distress, but it strikes me that the most useful voices to listen to if we want to find out, are those of the people experiencing harassment on a regular basis.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The bill's claim of what potentially constitutes extremism is so removed from reality that it will do nothing to actually "prevent people being drawn into terrorism".

The Guardian - Opinion

He added: "If you accept the argument that Hinkley constitutes a 'market failure' as put forward by the commission, you could apply it to all other means of electricity production, probably all other forms of energy conversion, and it might even apply beyond the energy sector.

The Guardian

The station has argued it has done nothing which constitutes an offence.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "constitutes", ensure the subject clearly forms or composes the object it describes, emphasizing the relationship between parts and a whole. This helps maintain precision and clarity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "constitutes" when describing a general association or similarity; it should be reserved for instances where the subject definitively makes up the entirety of the object. For example, don't say "attending meetings constitutes networking" if networking involves more than just meetings.

Linguistic Context

The term "constitutes" functions primarily as a verb, specifically the third-person singular present indicative form of "constitute." As noted by Ludwig AI, it signifies forming or composing something. It's used to describe the essential elements that make up a whole or define something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Formal & Business

23%

Science

21%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "constitutes" is a frequently used verb that describes the act of forming or composing a whole. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and appropriate for various contexts, especially in formal writing. Examples from news sources like The Guardian and The Economist, demonstrate it's primarily used to define essential components. To enhance clarity, remember that the subject must fully make up the object it describes. When writing, consider alternatives such as "amounts to" or "represents" for subtle shifts in meaning. Mastering the use of "constitutes" aids in precise and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

amounts to

This phrase indicates a resultant total or effect, shifting the focus from components to outcome.

is equivalent to

This alternative suggests a direct and measurable equality or interchangeability.

represents

This term indicates a symbolic or indicative relationship rather than a compositional one.

makes up

Focuses on the components forming a whole, suitable for describing physical composition.

comprises

Highlights the inclusion of specific elements within a larger entity.

is defined as

This phrase introduces a formal or technical definition of a term or concept.

is considered

Suggests a matter of opinion or judgment rather than a definitive fact.

embodies

This term signifies the expression or representation of something intangible.

is characterized by

This phrase emphasizes the distinguishing attributes or features of something.

entails

This term implies a necessary consequence or condition.

FAQs

How to use "constitutes" in a sentence?

Use "constitutes" to indicate that something forms or makes up a whole. For instance, "These elements "constitute the core" of the argument" shows that the elements are essential to the argument's composition.

What can I say instead of "constitutes"?

You can use alternatives like "amounts to", "represents", or "makes up" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "constitutes" or "composes"?

Both "constitutes" and "composes" indicate that something forms a whole, but "constitutes" emphasizes the elements involved, while "composes" focuses on the act of creating the whole. "This "constitutes the whole"" and "This composes the whole" have subtly different emphases.

What's the difference between "constitutes" and "includes"?

"Constitutes" means forming the entirety of something, whereas "includes" suggests only a part. Saying "These items "constitute the list"" means they are all the items, but "These items include on the list" means they are some but not all of the items.