consist

consist — verb

1. to be formed from two or more specific parts, people, or things that together ma

1.動詞不及物B1
釋義

to be formed from two or more specific parts, people, or things that together make a whole

例句

The selection committee consists of twelve members from different departments.

consist of + group members

A healthy breakfast should consist of protein, whole grains, and fresh fruit.

同義詞
  • be composed of

    slightly more formal; identical meaning

  • be made up of

    less formal; very common in spoken English

  • comprise

    more formal; the whole comprises its parts ('the whole comprises the parts')

  • contain

    broader meaning; does not necessarily name all components

文法句型

consist of + noun phrase

用法筆記

The most common meaning of 'consist'. The subject names the whole, and the object of 'of' lists its components. Not used in progressive tenses. Unlike 'include', 'consist of' implies that the list is complete — every part is named.

常見錯誤

❌The soup consists of carrots, celery, and also some unknown spices.
✅The soup consists of carrots, celery, and spices.
💡'consist of' should name all parts, not just some. Use 'includes' if the list is partial.

2. to have a particular quality, idea, or action as the most important part of what

2.動詞不及物B2
釋義

to have a particular quality, idea, or action as the most important part of what something truly is

例句

The charm of the old town consists in its narrow streets and traditional market square.

consist in + noun phrase for essential quality

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

consist in + gerund for defining action

同義詞
  • lie in

    more common in everyday speech; same meaning but less formal

  • reside in

    very formal; often used in philosophical or legal writing

  • inhere in

    highly formal and technical; rarely used outside academic contexts

文法句型

consist in + noun / gerund

用法筆記

Frequently followed by a gerund (-ing form) or an abstract noun stating the essential feature. Not used in the progressive tenses (you cannot say 'is consisting in').

常見錯誤

❌Their wedding menu consists in pasta and salad.
✅Their wedding menu consists of pasta and salad.
💡'consist in' describes the nature of something, not the list of its parts.
❌Happiness is consisting in small daily pleasures.
✅Happiness consists in small daily pleasures.
💡'consist in' is never used in progressive tenses.

3. to match or be in agreement with something else, so that there is no conflict be

3.動詞不及物C1
釋義

to match or be in agreement with something else, so that there is no conflict between them

例句

Christopher's business practices do not consist with the values he claims to support.

consist with + abstract noun for agreement

The new environmental policy must consist with the company's long-term goals for sustainability.

同義詞
  • be consistent with

    much more common in modern English; preferred in both speech and writing

  • accord with

    formal; suggests deliberate agreement or harmony

  • tally with

    slightly informal; often used with facts or figures

反義詞
  • contradict

    opposite meaning; more forceful and direct

  • conflict with

    suggests active opposition rather than mere lack of agreement

文法句型

consist with + noun phrase

用法筆記

Formal register, mostly found in academic, legal, or philosophical writing. In modern everyday English, the expression 'be consistent with' is far more common than 'consist with'. The subject and the object of 'with' are compared for logical harmony.

常見錯誤

❌Her story consists with the evidence the police found.
✅Her story is consistent with the evidence the police found.
💡In modern English, 'be consistent with' is preferred over 'consist with' in most contexts.