constitute

/ˈkɒnstɪtjuːt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈkɑːnstɪtuːt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈkän(t)-stə-ˌtüt -ˌtyüt/ (ame, mw)

constitute — verb

  • constitutepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • constituteshe / she / it
  • constitutedpast simple
  • constituting-ing form

1. to be accepted as fitting a particular description, category, or legal standard

1.動詞及物B2
釋義

to be accepted as fitting a particular description, category, or legal standard — used when an action, event, or quality meets the conditions that make it count as a certain kind of thing.

例句

The court ruled that the delay did not constitute a breach of contract.

constitute + noun phrase (legal context)

Any donation over one thousand dollars constitutes a major gift.

同義詞
  • represent

    broader; can imply symbolic meaning rather than strict category membership

  • amount to

    informal; often carries a negative or critical tone, e.g. 'amounts to theft'

  • qualify as

    focuses on meeting minimum requirements or standards

文法句型

constitute + noun phrase (category/description)

用法筆記

Subject is typically an action, event, or quality; the object is an abstract category such as a crime, breach, threat, or grounds. Common in legal, formal, and regulatory contexts.

常見錯誤

❌A sincere apology constitutes forgiveness.
✅A sincere apology is a sign of forgiveness.
💡'constitute' means the thing itself meets the definition of a category, not that it signals or expresses something.
❌Her smile constituted happiness.
✅Her smile showed that she was happy.
💡'constitute' is not used for personal expressions or emotions.

2. to be the separate people, things, or amounts that together create a whole.

2.動詞及物B2
釋義

to be the separate people, things, or amounts that together create a whole.

例句

In many countries, twelve months of work constitute a full year of service.

parts + constitute + whole

Women constitute over half of the workforce in that industry.

同義詞
  • compose

    more formal; often used in passive 'be composed of'

  • make up

    informal; common in everyday speech

  • form

    neutral; widely used in both formal and informal contexts

文法句型

[parts/components] + constitute + [whole]

用法筆記

The subject names the parts or components; the object names the whole they create. For the reverse direction ('the whole consists of the parts'), use 'consist of' or 'be composed of'.

常見錯誤

❌The group constitutes of five people.
✅Five people constitute the group.
💡'constitute' is not followed by 'of'; use 'consist of' for the opposite direction.

3. to formally create or bring into existence an official group, organization, or i

3.動詞及物C1
釋義

to formally create or bring into existence an official group, organization, or institution through a legal or official process.

例句

The government constituted a new commission to investigate corruption.

constitute + [official body] to + [purpose]

A committee was constituted to review the university's admission policy.

passive: be constituted to + [purpose]

同義詞
  • establish

    broader meaning; applies to systems, relationships, or institutions

  • set up

    informal; common in everyday language

  • found

    more formal than 'constitute'; typically for institutions or cities with lasting significance

反義詞
  • dissolve

    formal; refers to officially ending a group or organization

文法句型

constitute + [committee/commission/body]

be constituted as + [official body]

用法筆記

Frequently used in the passive voice. The object is typically an official body such as a committee, commission, board, council, or working group. More formal than 'set up'.

常見錯誤

❌They constituted a new law last year.
✅They passed a new law last year.
💡'constitute' applies to groups and bodies, not to laws themselves (use 'enact', 'pass', or 'establish' for laws).
❌He constituted a meeting for Friday.
✅He arranged a meeting for Friday.
💡'constitute' is too formal for everyday arrangements.