substantially composed of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "substantially composed of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the primary components or materials that make up something, indicating that a significant portion is made of those elements. Example: "The building is substantially composed of recycled materials, which contributes to its sustainability."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Said to be substantially composed of returning mercenaries from Qaddafi's Libya, the MNLA emerged last fall as the latest separatist movement pitting Tuaregs, who are Arab-Berber pastoralists of the sort romanticized in SUV names (cf. Cherokees), against the sedentary and much more densely populated black-African south.

Vice

Grade six classes were substantially composed of students aged 10 and 11 years old.

BMC Public Health

In fact, the peak with high protein conservation is substantially composed of cytoplasmic ribosomal proteins, while the peak with lower protein conservation mainly comprises nuclear-encoded mitochondrial ribosomal proteins (Additional file 9).

BMC Genomics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Although scholars disagree over the exact date of its composition, it is certain that it was substantially composed before Locke fled to Holland.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Consistent with the results from the population genetic analyses, outlier loci substantially outperformed the data sets composed of eight and 44 neutral loci for IA to ecotype and in MC analyses (Table 3; Table S5).

Evolutionary Applications

The utility of the α-toxin as a permeabilizing agent has been substantially enhanced through the engineering of gateable pores composed of mutant α-toxin proteins.

Methods in Enzymology

This region is composed of four cryptic repeats and substantially contributes to the overall basic charge of TALE proteins [ 12, 15].

Briefings in Functional Genomics

The range is composed of red sandstone, which has been substantially modified by geological ice action, notably in the form of sharp peaks and corries (scooped-out basins).

Encyclopedia Britannica

In the elbow, the distal condyles of an alligator humerus are composed of large cartilaginous condyles that differ substantially from the underlying bone's shape (Fig. 5A, B).

Plosone

A variation on snow has been observed on Venus, though composed of metallic compounds and occurring at a substantially higher temperature.

Wikipedia

Treatment is funded by contracted companies or medical aid funds (composed of pooled monthly contributions from members) which substantially cover co-morbid conditions including those not related to HIV.

BMC Health Services Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "substantially composed of" to clearly indicate that the mentioned components form a significant portion of the whole, but may not be the only constituents. This avoids overstating the composition while still emphasizing key elements.

Common error

Avoid using "substantially composed of" when describing something that is entirely made up of the specified components. In such cases, "entirely composed of" or "solely consisting of" would be more accurate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "substantially composed of" functions as a descriptive phrase, specifying the primary components or materials that constitute a subject. According to Ludwig, it is correct and usable in written English, indicating that something is largely made up of certain elements.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "substantially composed of" is a grammatically sound and useful way to describe the primary components of something. As affirmed by Ludwig, it correctly indicates that a significant portion of a subject is made up of certain elements. Although its frequency is rare, it finds appropriate use in academic, news, and encyclopedic contexts. When using the phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the degree of composition; if something is entirely made up of specific components, consider alternatives like "entirely composed of" to avoid misleading your reader.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mainly made up of

Replaces "composed" with "made up", offering a more informal tone while retaining the core meaning.

largely consisting of

Substitutes "composed" with "consisting", emphasizing the elements that constitute the whole.

primarily comprised of

Uses "comprised" instead of "composed", implying a significant but potentially not exclusive composition.

mostly formed from

Focuses on the formation process, suggesting that the components have come together to create something.

significantly constituted by

Emphasizes the influence or role of the components in making up the whole.

heavily reliant on

Shifts focus to the reliance on certain components, rather than their mere presence.

predominantly featuring

Highlights the prominent characteristics or components of the subject.

substantially consisting in

Rephrases the sentence to shift focus on the specific thing it consists in.

essentially constituted of

Highlights that the subject could not exist without these certain features.

in great part composed of

More lengthy rephrasing of the sentence.

FAQs

What does "substantially composed of" mean?

The phrase "substantially composed of" means that something is largely or mainly made up of certain elements or components, implying those elements form a significant part of the whole.

How can I use "substantially composed of" in a sentence?

You can use "substantially composed of" to describe the makeup of something, such as "The building is "substantially composed of" recycled materials".

What are some alternatives to saying "substantially composed of"?

Alternatives include phrases like "mainly made up of", "largely consisting of", or "primarily comprised of", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "substantially composed of" and "entirely composed of"?

"Substantially composed of" indicates a significant portion, whereas "entirely composed of" implies that something is exclusively made up of the specified elements. The former allows for other minor constituents, while the latter does not.