consist

consist — verb

  • consistpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • consists3rd person singular
  • consisting-ing form
  • consistedpast simple

1. to be formed or made from two or more particular parts, people, or ingredients,

1.verbintransitiveB1
Definition

to be formed or made from two or more particular parts, people, or ingredients, with those parts named after the word 'of'

Example

The committee consists of twelve members from different university departments.

consist of + noun phrase naming the parts

A traditional Taiwanese breakfast often consists of warm soy milk and crispy youtiao.

Common collocations
  • consist mainly of
  • consist largely of
  • consist entirely of
  • consist mostly of
Synonyms
  • comprise

    more formal; the whole comprises the parts, not the parts comprise the whole

  • be composed of

    slightly more formal; emphasizes the individual elements

  • be made up of

    common in everyday speech; less formal than 'consist of'

Grammar Patterns

Subject + consist + of + noun phrase

Usage Note

Only used in active voice. 'The team is consisted of...' is incorrect — never use 'consist' in passive form.

Common Mistakes

The team is consisted of five players.
The team consists of five players.
'consist of' is active-only; never add 'be' before it.

2. to have its most important feature, quality, or explanation in something — for e

2.verbintransitiveB2
Definition

to have its most important feature, quality, or explanation in something — for example, success consisting in hard work, or beauty consisting in simplicity

Example

The beauty of Iris's design consists in its perfect balance of shape and color.

consist in + noun phrase explaining the essential quality

True leadership does not consist in giving orders but in earning respect.

Common collocations
  • consist in doing
  • consist in being
  • consist mainly in
  • does not consist in
Synonyms
  • lie in

    more common in everyday English; less formal

  • reside in

    very formal; stresses that the quality is inherent

Grammar Patterns

Subject + consist + in + noun/gerund

Usage Note

Always followed by 'in' + noun or gerund. This sense is formal and uncommon in casual conversation. In everyday English, 'lie in' is more frequent.

Common Mistakes

The problem consists of finding time.' (when meaning 'lies in').
The problem consists in finding enough time.
use 'in' (not 'of') for the sense of 'the essential nature is'.

3. to match or be in agreement with something else, especially when comparing state

3.verbintransitiveB2
Definition

to match or be in agreement with something else, especially when comparing statements, actions, or facts for compatibility

Example

The witness account does not consist with the security footage from the lobby.

negative form: does not consist with

Omar's actions hardly consist with the values he talks about in public.

Common collocations
  • does not consist with
  • hardly consists with
  • consists fully with
Synonyms
Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

Subject + consist + with + noun phrase

Usage Note

Most common in negative or question forms. In affirmative sentences, 'be consistent with' is far more natural in modern English.

Common Mistakes

His story consists of the evidence.' (when meaning 'matches').
His story consists with the evidence.
use 'with' (not 'of') for agreement/harmony.

consist — noun

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

All four phrases describe the relationship between a whole and its parts, but they differ in grammar and register. 'Consist of' is the most neutral and common; it names the parts that form the whole ('The team consists of five players'). 'Comprise' is more formal and can work in two directions: the whole comprises the parts, or the parts comprise the whole — though purists prefer the first. 'Constitute' is the reverse: individual parts constitute the whole ('Five players constitute the team'). 'Be composed of' is slightly more formal than 'consist of' and suggests deliberate arrangement. 'Be made up of' is the most casual option, common in speech. For example, you might say 'The committee is made up of volunteers' in conversation but 'The committee consists of elected representatives' in a report.

comprise ↗constitute ↗be composed ofbe made up of

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • consist of a mix of
  • consist mainly of
  • does not consist with

Prepositions

  • of (consist of)
  • in (consist in)
  • with (consist with)

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

The word 'consist' comes from the Latin verb 'consistere', which combines 'com-' (meaning 'together') and 'sistere' (meaning 'to stand, to set'). In Latin, 'consistere' meant 'to stand together, to take a position, to stop'. It entered English through French in the 1520s, first with the sense of 'to exist, to have being', and later developed the meanings of 'to be composed of' and 'to be consistent with'.

First known use

1526

1526, in the meaning defined at sense 1 Noun