formed of

USAGE SUMMARY

"formed of" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used when expressing that something is composed of or made up of something else. For example, "The new company is formed of four different businesses."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Hairstyles are formed of flamelike tufts.

The New York Times

Much of Martha's Vineyard is formed of such sand plains.

The New York Times - Science

Alicatado, mosaic formed of polygonal, coloured glazed tiles.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The lake bed is formed of a fine-grained mudstone, rich in clay.

The New Yorker

The MKMVA is formed of a group of people who have never been held accountable.

The Guardian

The community in Canada is formed of families whose forebears fled persecution after the Russian revolution.

The Guardian - Books

The nano-network's core is formed of dextran nanoparticles loaded with insulin and glucose-specific enzymes.

The Guardian

A group formed of every minimum wage call centre slave you've ever bellowed at in anger.

The Guardian

The horizontal crossbar is formed of nine more screens, cascading toward and into the lobby.

The New York Times

It is a Turing-Kasparov link formed of computers, artificial intelligence, and Manchester.

The Guardian

Once erected, it is held up by counterweights formed of enormous water-filled balloons.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the composition of something, "formed of" is a clear and versatile choice. Consider your audience and the level of formality required; alternatives like "composed of" or "made up of" may be more appropriate in certain contexts.

Common error

While "formed of" is generally acceptable, avoid using overly informal alternatives like "made out of" in formal writing. Opt for more precise and professional language depending on the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "formed of" functions as a prepositional phrase that describes the composition or constitution of a subject. It indicates what materials or elements something is made from, as seen in the Ludwig examples. Ludwig AI confirms it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

27%

Science

23%

Less common in

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

2%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "formed of" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to describe the composition or constitution of something. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is correct for written English. The phrase is most frequently found in news, encyclopedias, and scientific contexts, making it suitable for both general informational and more technical writing. While alternatives such as "composed of" and "made up of" exist, "formed of" maintains a neutral to formal register, providing a reliable choice for clearly indicating the elements that constitute a subject.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

composed of

Replaces "formed of" with a direct synonym emphasizing the constituents.

made up of

Offers a more informal alternative focusing on the elements that constitute something.

consisting of

Highlights the components that something is comprised of.

comprised of

A more formal synonym for "made up of", indicating inclusion.

constituted of

Emphasizes the act of forming or establishing something from its parts.

comprises

A verb form that indicates what something includes or consists of.

includes

Focuses on the elements that are part of a whole, without necessarily implying the entire composition.

built from

Highlights the construction process and the materials used.

comprising

Present participle form indicating the elements that make up something.

containing

Indicates the presence of certain elements within something.

FAQs

What does "formed of" mean?

The phrase "formed of" means composed or made up of certain elements or components. It indicates the material or parts that constitute something.

What can I use instead of "formed of"?

You can use alternatives like "composed of", "made up of", or "consisting of" depending on the context.

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

Use "formed of" to describe what something is made from. For example: "The sculpture is formed of recycled materials."

Is there a difference between "formed of" and "comprised of"?

While similar, "comprised of" is sometimes considered less precise. "Formed of" clearly indicates composition, while "comprised of" can sometimes imply 'includes' rather than 'is entirely made up of'.