consists

Consists is the third person singular present tense of the verb consist. It means to be composed of or to have as parts. The word is used in two main senses: to describe the components that make up something, and to identify the essential nature or basis of something.

In its typical usage, consist introduces the parts with the preposition of. For example, “The committee consists of ten members” or “The diet consists of vegetables, grains, and proteins.” This construction focuses on what the whole is made from. Less commonly, consist can take a complement with in to express the essential quality or function of something, as in “The plan consists in finding a workable solution” or “The appeal of the proposal consists in its simplicity.”

Distinctions and related terms are useful. Consist of often contrasts with be made up of or comprise; all are used to describe composition, but stylistic preferences vary. Some writers use comprise to indicate the whole includes its parts (The committee comprises ten members); however, many also say the committee consists of ten members. The verb form compose (to be composed of) shares a similar meaning but is often used to describe how something is put together rather than enumerating its elements.

Etymology traces consist to the Latin consistēre, meaning to stand together. In modern English, consist remains a formal, largely intransitive verb preferred in descriptive or technical writing for stating composition or essential nature.