is made up of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is made up of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the components of a group, such as "The team is made up of five talented members."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That collateral is made up of citizens' tax revenues.

Yale University

"The jizz is made up of everything".

The New York Times

It is made up of two parties.

The Economist

City hall is made up of people.

Harvard University

It is made up of four parts.

Business Intelligence Guidebook From Data Integration to Analytics

It is made up of experienced soldiers.

Harvard Business Review

Humanity is made up of many stories".

The Guardian

It is made up of other fibers.

The New York Times - Sports

AED1 is made up of 100 Fills.

The Guardian - Money

Our world is made up of computers.

The Guardian - Tech

The rest is made up of discussion section scores.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the composition of something, ensure that all the components are clearly identified and their roles are explained. For example, instead of just saying "The cake is made up of flour, sugar, and eggs", specify "The cake is made up of flour, which provides structure; sugar, which adds sweetness; and eggs, which bind the ingredients together".

Common error

Avoid stating that something "is made up of" certain components without providing a comprehensive list. For instance, saying "The team is made up of experienced members" is vague. Instead, specify their roles or skills: "The team is made up of experienced project managers, skilled developers, and creative designers".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is made up of" functions as a copular verb phrase, linking a subject to a description of its composition. Ludwig's examples showcase its use in specifying the elements that constitute a whole, as in "The team is made up of four scientists". Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

28%

Academia

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is made up of" is a versatile and grammatically sound way to describe the composition of something. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage. It's frequently found in scientific, news, and academic contexts, indicating its broad applicability. While alternatives like "consists of" and "comprises" exist, "is made up of" remains a clear and accessible choice. Remember to use it comprehensively, detailing all significant components for clarity and precision. It's better to specify the nature of the components to provide a comprehensive overview of what is being described, as in "the team is made up of 5 members".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

consists of

This alternative uses a more direct verb to indicate composition.

comprises

A more formal synonym suggesting inclusion or containment.

is composed of

This alternative is grammatically similar but uses "composed" instead of "made up".

constitutes

Implies that the elements form or create something.

includes

Focuses on the elements that are part of something, without necessarily implying entirety.

features

Highlights the characteristics or components of something.

incorporates

Suggests the elements are integrated or combined.

entails

Implies that something necessarily involves particular elements.

is formed from

This alternative focuses on the process of formation or creation.

derives from

Suggests that something originates or comes from particular elements.

FAQs

How can I use "is made up of" in a sentence?

The phrase "is made up of" is used to describe the components or elements that constitute something. For example, "The solar system "is made up of" the sun, planets, and various smaller objects".

What are some alternatives to "is made up of"?

Alternatives include "consists of", "comprises", "is composed of", and "includes". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired nuance.

Is it correct to say "is comprised of" instead of "is made up of"?

While "is comprised of" is sometimes used, some consider it less precise than "is composed of" or "is made up of". Using "consists of" is generally a safer alternative.

What's the difference between "is made of" and "is made up of"?

"Is made of" refers to the material something is constructed from (e.g., "The table is made of wood"), while "is made up of" describes the components or parts that constitute something (e.g., "The team "is made up of" five members").