# consist of sb/sth

CEFR B1 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/consist-of-sb-sth
Updated: 2026-04-24

## Definition

to be made of or formed from specific people or things.

For teachers: to be composed of or made up of specific parts or members; used to describe the constituent elements of a whole.

## Examples

- The team consists of ten players.
- The breakfast menu consists of fresh fruit, cereal, and a selection of pastries.
- The committee consists of representatives from various departments who meet monthly to discuss the company's long-term sustainability goals.

## Pitfalls

- Not "The cake is consisted of flour and sugar." but "The cake consists of flour and sugar." — this verb is never used in the passive voice; use the active form instead.

## Usage notes

- always used in the active voice and followed by the preposition 'of'.
- Teaching tip: contrast with 'comprise' (more formal) and 'be made up of' (more common in speech); remind students that 'consist' is never used in the passive voice.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.