is formed of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is formed of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to indicate that an entity is made up of several smaller elements. For example, "The United Nations is formed of 193 states."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

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

The New York Times - Science

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

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

The New York Times

The animal's splayed-out body is formed of black and white embroidered stripes.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Another important family of synthetic organic polymers is formed of linear repetitions of the urethane group.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The roof is formed of rafters (sloping joists) or wood trusses.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It is formed of alternating layers of aluminium oxide and sodium ions.

The Economist

Our priority is setting up the Healthwatch system, which is formed of two connected networks, at local and national level.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is formed of" to clearly and directly indicate the components or elements that constitute a larger entity or structure. This phrase is suitable for both formal and informal writing, providing clarity in descriptions.

Common error

Avoid using "is formed of" in excessively long or convoluted sentences. Break down complex ideas into simpler statements for better readability and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is formed of" functions as a passive construction, indicating that a subject is created or constituted by specific components or elements. As Ludwig confirms, this usage is grammatically correct and widely accepted in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

28%

Encyclopedias

14%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is formed of" serves as a grammatically sound and versatile tool for delineating the composition of an entity, applicable across varied registers. It particularly excels in scientific and journalistic contexts, offering a clear and direct way to specify constituent elements. As Ludwig confirms, this phrase is a grammatically correct and widely accepted way to describe the makeup of something. While alternatives such as "consists of" or "comprises" exist, "is formed of" remains a reliable choice. Writers should aim for clarity, avoiding overuse in complex sentences to ensure seamless communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

consists of

This phrase emphasizes the components that make up something, shifting the focus slightly from the act of forming to the state of consisting.

is composed of

Similar to "is formed of", but often used in more formal contexts to describe the elements of a whole.

is made up of

A more informal alternative, suitable for everyday language, indicating the constituents of something.

comprises

A more concise and formal option, where the subject encompasses the listed elements.

includes

This phrase suggests that the listed items are part of something larger, without necessarily being all the parts.

is constituted by

A formal and somewhat less common way of saying something is created or established by certain elements.

is structured around

This highlights the framework or arrangement of elements, rather than just their presence.

is built from

Implies a process of construction or assembly using the specified components.

derives from

Focuses on the origin or source of the elements that constitute something.

originates from

Similar to "derives from", emphasizing the starting point or beginning of the constituent elements.

FAQs

How can I use "is formed of" in a sentence?

Use "is formed of" to describe the components or elements that constitute a whole. For example, "The committee is formed of representatives from each department."

What are some alternatives to "is formed of"?

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

Is "is formed of" grammatically correct?

Yes, "is formed of" is grammatically correct. It's a passive construction indicating that something is created or constituted by certain elements, as Ludwig confirms.

What's the difference between "is formed of" and "comprises"?

"Is formed of" describes the components that make up a whole, while "comprises" indicates that the subject includes the listed elements, often implying that these elements are all that it contains.