how to use the English word consist in sentences

 The English word "consist" is primarily used to indicate what something is made of, or what its essential components are. It's almost always followed by a preposition, most commonly "of" or "in."

Let's break down its usage with examples:

1. Consist of (most common usage)

This means "to be made up of" or "to comprise." You use "consist of" to list the parts, elements, or ingredients that form a whole.

• Parts of an object/structure:

  • "The band consists of a drummer, a bassist, and two guitarists."

  • "This recipe consists of flour, sugar, eggs, and butter."

  • "A healthy diet consists of a variety of fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins."

  • "The committee consists of five members from different departments."

• Elements of an idea/concept:

  • "True happiness doesn't consist of material possessions."

  • "His argument consisted of several logical points."

  • "The training program consists of both theoretical lessons and practical exercises."

• Quantities:

  • "The audience consisted of mainly young people."

  • "The collection consisted of over 200 rare coins."

2. Consist in (less common, more formal)

This means "to lie in" or "to be found in." You use "consist in" to state where the essence, main feature, or most important aspect of something is located. It often points to an abstract quality or principle.

• Essence/Main Feature:

  • "The beauty of the landscape consists in its untouched wilderness."

  • "His strength as a leader consists in his ability to inspire others."

  • "The primary challenge consists in finding a sustainable solution."

  • "True generosity consists in giving without expecting anything in return."

• Core Principle/Definition:

  • "The problem consists in our lack of resources."

  • "Their strategy consists in avoiding direct confrontation."

Important Notes:

• "Consist" is almost never used in the continuous form (e.g., "is consisting"). It describes a state or composition, not an action in progress. So, you wouldn't say "The team is consisting of five players." Instead, you'd say "The team consists of five players."

• Active Voice: "Consist" is usually used in the active voice. You don't say "A cake is consisted of..." but rather "A cake consists of..."

• Singular vs. Plural: The verb "consist" agrees with its subject.

  • "The team consists of five players." (singular subject "team")

  • "These ingredients consist of..." (plural subject "ingredients")

By understanding the distinction between "consist of" (components) and "consist in" (essence/main feature), you can use the word "consist" accurately and effectively in your writing.