constituents
constituents — adjective
1. describing the individual elements or substances that together make up a complet
describing the individual elements or substances that together make up a complete object, mixture, or system.
The chemist analyzed the constituent elements of the unknown liquid found in the lab.
constituent + noun for component parts
Water is a constituent molecule of many chemical compounds that occur naturally in the soil.
All the constituent parts of the engine were laid out across the workbench for inspection.
Carbon and hydrogen are the main constituent atoms in the organic matter found in compost.
文法句型
constituent + noun (element, part, molecule, atom)
用法筆記
Almost always used before a noun (attributive position). The noun phrase 'constituent parts' is by far the most common collocation.
常見錯誤
2. relating to the people who live in a particular voting district and are entitled
relating to the people who live in a particular voting district and are entitled to vote for a political representative there.
The mayor held a meeting to hear from her constituent residents in the downtown area.
constituent residents — people in a voting district
The MP's constituent office helps local people deal with issues such as housing and benefits.
A newsletter was sent to every constituent household in the district before the election.
The senator meets with constituent groups once a month to discuss new policies.
- electoral
broader meaning, covering the whole system of voting, not just the people in one area
文法句型
constituent + noun (resident, household, area, office)
用法筆記
Much less common than the noun sense 'constituent' meaning voter. When used, it almost always appears before the nouns 'area', 'resident', 'household', or 'office'.
常見錯誤
constituents — noun
1. a single item, substance, or element that is part of a larger mixture, object, o
a single item, substance, or element that is part of a larger mixture, object, or system — for example, a chemical in a compound, or a material in a product.
Flour and eggs are two essential constituents of any basic cake recipe.
essential constituent of [something] — pattern for ingredients
A research team found a new chemical constituent in the plant that helps treat inflammation.
Steel is a key constituent in the construction of modern skyscrapers and bridges.
Oxygen is a vital constituent of the air that all animals need to survive.
One constituent of this cleaning spray is known to cause skin irritation in sensitive people.
- component
much more common in everyday language; 'component' is preferred in technical contexts
- ingredient
used mainly for recipes and chemical mixtures
- element
the broadest term, can be abstract or concrete
- whole
the complete thing that is made up of constituents
文法句型
constituent + of + noun phrase
adjective + constituent (main, key, vital, chemical)
用法筆記
Typically followed by 'of' to indicate the larger whole ('a constituent of the mixture'). The preposition 'in' is also possible when describing a role within a larger structure ('a key constituent in the design').
常見錯誤
2. a person who lives in a particular area and has the right to vote for the politi
a person who lives in a particular area and has the right to vote for the political representative who speaks for that area.
The congresswoman promised her constituents that she would fight for better healthcare funding.
promise constituents + that-clause — common political pattern
A constituent wrote to the local council about dangerous potholes on Green Lane.
Many constituents attended the public meeting to express their views on the new school proposal.
The candidate knocked on doors all weekend to speak with constituents in the neighbourhood.
When a constituent calls with a problem, the representative's staff tries to solve it quickly.
- voter
more general term — a voter may not live in the representative's district; all constituents are voters, but not all voters are constituents of a given official
- representative
the elected official who acts on behalf of constituents
文法句型
constituent + verb (write, call, complain, vote)
possessive + constituents (my/her/their constituents)
用法筆記
Almost always used in the plural because representatives serve many people. The singular form is possible when telling an anecdote about one specific person ('a constituent wrote to me…').