Definition

1. Verb (intransitive):
   • To be composed or made up of: Used to indicate the parts or elements that form a whole.
   • To have as an essential, fundamental, or central feature; to be contained in: Used to indicate the primary nature or essence of something.
   • To be consistent or compatible; to be in agreement: Used to indicate harmony or lack of contradiction.

Usage and Examples

• Verb (intransitive):
  • The committee consists of five members and a chairperson. (Indicates the parts forming the whole committee.)
  • True strength consists in perseverance, not in physical power. (Indicates the essential nature or location of strength.)
  • His actions do not consist with his stated principles. (Indicates a lack of compatibility or agreement.)

Advanced Usage

• "to consist of": This is the most common usage, followed by a noun or noun phrase listing the components.
  • The recipe consists of flour, eggs, and sugar.
• "to consist in": This formal usage introduces the fundamental quality, essence, or main element of something, often followed by an abstract noun or a gerund.
  • The beauty of the plan consists in its simplicity.
• "to consist with": This formal and less common usage indicates compatibility or accordance.
  • Such harsh punishment does not consist with our values of rehabilitation.

Variants and Related Words

• Consistency (n): The state of being consistent; agreement or harmony.
  • There is no consistency between his words and his deeds.
• Consistent (adj): Acting or done in the same way over time; compatible or in agreement.
  • She is a consistent supporter of the arts.
• Inconsistent (adj): Not staying the same throughout; containing parts that do not agree.
  • The witness gave an inconsistent account of events.

Synonyms

• Comprise: To be composed or made up of.
• Be composed of: To be formed from the specified parts.
• Reside in: To have its essential nature in (similar to "consist in").
• Conform with: To be in agreement or harmony with (similar to "consist with").

Phrasal Verbs / Constructions

• Consist of: To be made from or formed of particular parts or things.
  • The exhibition consists of paintings from the 19th century.
• Consist in: To have something as the main or only part or feature.
  • The difference consists in the method of application.
• Consist with: To be in agreement or compatible with something.
  • His calm demeanor did not consist with the urgency of the situation.

Verb

1. be composed of
   • The land he conquered comprised several provinces
   • What does this dish consist of?
2. be consistent in form, tenor, or character; be congruous
   • Desires are to be satisfied only so far as consists with an approved end
3. have its essential character; be comprised or contained in; be embodied in
   • The payment consists in food
   • What does love consist in?
4. originate (in)
   • The problems dwell in the social injustices in this country