it was composed of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was composed of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the elements or materials that make up a particular object or entity. Example: "The sculpture was composed of various metals, including bronze and copper."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Its thickness reached about 23.5 μm and it was composed of 30 bilayer numbers.

Surface and Coatings Technology

It was composed of several kingdoms loosely describable as feudal.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It was composed of steak, seared shrimp, baked potato and mixed vegetables.

The New York Times - Travel

It was composed of national women leaders interested in President Nixon's re‐election.

The New York Times

It was composed of people who'd never supported the National party.

The Guardian

It was composed of soldiers of a broad ethnic and regional mix.

The New York Times

My initial impression — that it was composed of three women to every man — was confirmed.

The New Yorker

Established in 1953, it was composed of Northern and Southern Rhodesia and Nyasaland.

The New York Times

Instead, it was composed of large pebbles and cobbles, which would have been too heavy to be transported by wind.

The New York Times - Science

It was composed of tiny, doughnut-shaped ferrite magnets threaded on the intersection points of a two-dimensional wire grid.

Britannica

It was composed of the United States, France, Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Thailand, and Pakistan.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was composed of" when you want to clearly and directly state the elements or parts that constitute a whole. It's a versatile phrase suitable for various writing styles and contexts.

Common error

While "it was composed of" is grammatically sound, excessive use of passive voice can make your writing sound dull. Consider rephrasing with an active voice construction for a more engaging style. For instance, instead of saying "The committee was composed of members from different departments", you could say "Members from different departments composed the committee".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was composed of" functions as a descriptive element within a sentence. It identifies the components or elements that constitute a particular subject. As Ludwig AI suggests, this phrase is commonly used and grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was composed of" is a versatile phrase used to describe the constituent parts of something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across various domains. Its function is primarily descriptive, offering clarity on the makeup of a subject, with the level of formality ranging from neutral to formal. Its usage is particularly frequent in scientific and journalistic contexts. Remember to avoid overusing the passive voice to keep your writing engaging. Consider alternatives such as "it consisted of" or "it was made up of" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it consisted of

Emphasizes the elements that made up the whole, very similar in meaning.

it was made up of

Suggests the components were assembled or combined.

it comprised

A more formal way of saying "it was composed of".

it included

Highlights that certain elements were part of the whole, but may not be exhaustive.

its composition was

A more nominalized version of the original phrase.

it incorporated

Implies that something was integrated or merged into a larger entity.

the constituents were

Highlights the individual components.

it featured

Focuses on prominent or noticeable elements.

the components included

Emphasizes the parts were intentionally part of the whole.

it was constructed from

Suggests a building or assembly process from different parts.

FAQs

What does "it was composed of" mean?

The phrase "it was composed of" means that something consists of certain elements or parts. It describes what something is made up of or includes.

How can I use "it was composed of" in a sentence?

You can use "it was composed of" to describe the ingredients of a dish, the members of a team, or the components of a machine. For example, "The salad was composed of lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumbers."

What are some alternatives to "it was composed of"?

Some alternatives to "it was composed of" include "it consisted of", "it was made up of", or "it comprised".

Is it better to use "it was composed of" or "it consisted of"?

Both "it was composed of" and "it consisted of" are grammatically correct and very similar in meaning. "It was composed of" might be slightly more formal, but the choice often comes down to personal preference and the context of your writing.