mainly consists of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mainly consists of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe what something is made up of or what something is composed of. For example, "This dish mainly consists of potatoes, carrots, and onions."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This world mainly consists of mundane chores within the home, hospital visits, and medication.

The Guardian

For now, though, natural gas, which mainly consists of methane, does appear to be the future.

The New Yorker

Come to think of it, the list mainly consists of English-language indeed, AmEnglish-language indeed

The New Yorker

Biomass from plant wastes mainly consists of carbohydrates, fiber, and proteins.

Nature

The design procedure mainly consists of two parts.

Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering

This problem mainly consists of the following two aspects.

Precision Engineering

The GF sample mainly consists of freestanding graphene oxide.

Materials Letters

SRNoC scheme mainly consists of the topology and routing algorithm.

Microelectronics Journal

Especially, software development mainly consists of composing re-usable components.

Procedia Computer Science

The complex mainly consists of two superconducting cyclotrons.

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment

The pore structure mainly consists of slit-shaped pores.

Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "mainly consists of", ensure that the components you list are indeed the most significant or prevalent parts of the whole. Avoid including minor components that might mislead the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "mainly consists of" if the listed components only represent a small portion of the whole. This can create a false impression and misrepresent the actual composition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mainly consists of" functions as a linking phrase that introduces a description of the primary components or elements that make up a subject. This is supported by Ludwig AI, which identifies the phrase as correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

53%

News & Media

22%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "mainly consists of" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe the primary components of something. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability. Its function is to inform, and it is appropriate for neutral to formal contexts, especially in scientific, news, and academic writing. When using this phrase, ensure that the listed elements truly represent the major components of the subject to avoid misrepresentation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

primarily comprises

This alternative places emphasis on the primary components, similar to "mainly consists of".

largely composed of

This suggests a significant portion is made up of something, closely mirroring the meaning of "mainly consists of".

chiefly constitutes

This option is more formal and emphasizes the essential elements that form something, similar to "mainly consists of".

predominantly features

This highlights the dominant characteristics or elements, akin to what "mainly consists of" implies.

mostly contains

This focuses on the inclusion of certain elements in a greater amount, similar to "mainly consists of".

is essentially made up of

This alternative emphasizes the fundamental components, similar to "mainly consists of".

is fundamentally composed of

This stresses the basic building blocks, akin to the meaning of "mainly consists of".

is principally comprised of

This option underscores the main or primary elements, similar to "mainly consists of".

is substantially formed by

This suggests a notable portion contributes to the formation, closely resembling the meaning of "mainly consists of".

is largely characterized by

This highlights what defines or distinguishes something, much like indicating its main components with "mainly consists of".

FAQs

How can I use "mainly consists of" in a sentence?

Use "mainly consists of" to describe the primary components or elements that make up something. For example, "The Earth's atmosphere mainly consists of nitrogen and oxygen."

What are some alternatives to "mainly consists of"?

You can use alternatives like "primarily comprises", "largely composed of", or "chiefly constitutes" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "mainly consist of" instead of "mainly consists of"?

No, the correct form is "mainly consists of". The verb "consists" must agree with the singular subject it is describing.

What is the difference between "mainly consists of" and "entirely consists of"?

"Mainly consists of" indicates that the listed components are the primary ones, but not necessarily all of them. "Entirely consists of" means that something is composed only of the listed elements, with no other components present.