that consist of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that consist of" is not correct; it should be "that consists of" to agree with a singular subject.
You can use it when describing the components or elements that make up a singular noun. Example: "The recipe includes several ingredients that consist of flour, sugar, and eggs."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Yes, corporations are organizations that consist of people.

The New York Times

They have lots of songs that consist of 82 seconds of screaming.

The Guardian - Music

Fractals are "patterns that consist of self-similar patterns at every scale.

The Guardian - Books

They have franchises that consist of the players of clubs merged together.

The Guardian - Sport

Like the feldspars, they have framework structures that consist of silica and alumina tetrahedrons.

Britannica

These enthusiastic singers produce songs that consist of long but relatively simple sequences of syllables.

MIT Technology Review

The devices are made from inks that consist of a semiconductor in a solvent.

MIT Technology Review

Atoms and molecules that consist of an odd number of fermion particles are considered composite fermions.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

In doing so, we engage in practices that consist of complex bodies of norms.

Cornell University

We present a variety of activities that consist of engaging discussions, interactive workshops and mentorship.

Columbia University

Why do human beings seem to need games that consist of invented obstacles?

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use "that consists of" (singular) or "that consist of" (plural) depending on the subject, ensuring subject-verb agreement. When referring to components of a singular subject, prefer the grammatically correct form "that consists of".

Common error

Avoid using "that consist of" when referring to a singular subject. Always ensure the verb agrees with the subject: use "that consists of" for singular subjects.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that consist of" functions as a relative clause, modifying a noun by specifying its components or elements. However, the phrase needs to agree with the subject, using "consists" for singular nouns. As pointed out by Ludwig AI, the phrase "that consist of" is grammatically incorrect unless referring to a plural subject.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

28%

Academia

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that consist of" is used to describe the composition of something, specifying its elements. However, as indicated by Ludwig AI, it's crucial to ensure subject-verb agreement, using "that consists of" for singular subjects. While common, it's important to use the correct form. The phrase appears frequently in scientific, news, and academic contexts. Consider alternatives like "that are composed of" or "that comprise" for variety and clarity, while always maintaining grammatical correctness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that are composed of

This alternative emphasizes the components forming the whole, using 'composed' instead of 'consist'.

that are made up of

This alternative is a more informal way of expressing composition, using the phrasal verb 'made up of'.

that comprise

This alternative uses a single word to convey the meaning of being composed of, which can sound more formal.

that include

This alternative focuses on inclusion rather than complete composition, suggesting the list might not be exhaustive.

that contain

Similar to 'include', this suggests the presence of elements within something.

that encompass

This alternative suggests a broader scope of inclusion, implying a comprehensive collection of elements.

that are characterized by

This alternative focuses on the defining features or elements of something.

that are formed by

This highlights the process of formation through the combination of elements.

that are structured with

This emphasizes the arrangement or organization of elements within a structure.

that are built from

This suggests the construction or assembly of something from constituent parts.

FAQs

Is it correct to say "that consist of"?

No, it is grammatically incorrect. The correct form depends on the subject. Use "that consists of" for singular subjects and "that consist of" for plural subjects.

What is a better way to say "that consist of"?

Alternatives include "that are composed of", "that are made up of", or "that comprise", depending on the desired level of formality.

When should I use "that consists of" versus "that consist of"?

Use "that consists of" when the subject is singular (e.g., 'a team that consists of experts'). Use "that consist of" when the subject is plural (e.g., 'teams that consist of experts').

What's the difference between "that consist of" and "that include"?

"That consist of" implies that the listed items are all the components. "That include" suggests that the listed items are some, but not necessarily all, of the components. Consider using "that include" to imply there may be other unlisted components.