what it consists of

USAGE SUMMARY

"what it consists of" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to ask or describe the components or elements that make up something. Examples: 1. "Can you tell me what the cake consists of? I'm allergic to nuts." 2. "The presentation should include a breakdown of what the project consists of." 3. "He was curious about what the deal consisted of, so he asked for more details." 4. "The committee needs to evaluate what the new policy consists of before making a decision." 5. "It's important to understand what the team consists of in order to effectively delegate tasks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

Most basically, for Costa Ricans to care about biodiversity their country, which covers 0.03percentnt of the Earth's land surface, contains four per cent of its species they have to know what it consists of.

The New Yorker

Most basically, for Costa Ricans to care about biodiversity — their country, which covers 0.03percentnt of the Earth's land surface, contains four per cent of its species — they have to know what it consists of.

The New Yorker

But no one has any idea what it consists of.

The Guardian - Opinion

What it consists of is thinking in a computational way – giving instructions to something.

The Guardian - Tech

If such an order does exist, there is no consensus as to what it consists of.

The New York Times

Wealthy people know exactly what it consists of and make sure their children get it.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

No one except its authors really knows what it consisted of.

The Economist

Here's what it consisted of: Hillary was virtually without flaws.

The Guardian - Opinion

Although more work was undertaken between 1370 and 1377, the year of Edward's death, what it consisted of is unknown.

Wikipedia

Consent procedure required an explanation of the research project, what it consisted of and the type of data being collected.

BMC Pediatrics

Whether there is such a positive right and in what it consists are matters of dispute (Mills 2003; Lotz 2006; essays in Archard and MacLeod 2002; Encyclopedia article on Children's Rights).

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "what it consists of", ensure the subject you're referring to is clearly defined in the context. This avoids ambiguity and ensures the question is easily understood.

Common error

Avoid using "what it consists of" for simple definitions. For instance, instead of saying "A sandwich is defined by what it consists of", it's better to simply define: "A sandwich is bread with fillings".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what it consists of" functions primarily as an interrogative clause or a noun clause. It inquires about the elements, components, or ingredients that constitute a particular item, concept, or process. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's usability and grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "what it consists of" serves as a versatile tool for inquiring about the composition or makeup of various subjects, from recipes to complex theories. Grammatically sound and frequently used across diverse contexts like news, science, and academia, as highlighted by Ludwig, it seeks to clarify understanding by pinpointing constituent parts. While highly useful, it is important to ensure the subject of the phrase remains clear and to avoid overuse in simple definitions. Alternatives like "what are its components" or "what is it made of" offer similar meanings with slightly different emphasis or formality. As Ludwig's analysis indicates, mastering its use enhances clarity and precision in both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what are its components

Focuses on the individual parts that make up the whole.

what elements comprise it

Uses more formal language to inquire about the constituent parts.

what does it include

Highlights the items contained within something.

what is its composition

Emphasizes the arrangement and nature of the parts.

what are its ingredients

Particularly suitable when discussing recipes or mixtures.

what does it entail

Focuses on what is necessarily involved or included.

what does it involve

Highlights the actions, processes, or elements part of something.

what is contained within it

Emphasizes the items physically present inside something.

what is its makeup

Focuses on the combination of different things that form something.

what are its constituents

Uses a more technical or formal term for the parts.

FAQs

How can I use "what it consists of" in a sentence?

You can use "what it consists of" to inquire about the components or elements of something. For example, "The recipe explains "what it consists of", including flour, sugar, and eggs."

What's a less formal alternative to "what it consists of"?

Informally, you might ask "what is it made of" or "what is in it" depending on the context. These alternatives are suitable for casual conversations.

Is it correct to say "what does it consist of"?

Yes, "what does it consist of" is grammatically correct. It's a more direct question form compared to "what it consists of", which often appears in clauses or indirect questions.

Can I use "what it comprises of" instead of "what it consists of"?

While "comprises" and "consists of" are similar, "comprises" means 'includes' or 'is composed of'. "What it comprises" is acceptable, but "what it comprises of" is often considered redundant. It's safer to use ""what it consists of"" or "what it comprises".