Which one is correct?
"is constituted by" or "is constituted of"?

Question

Which one is correct?
"is constituted by" or "is constituted of"?

TextRanch: The best way to perfect your writing.

Discover why 1,062,726 users count on TextRanch to get their English corrected!

One of our experts will correct your English.

100% Human-Powered Editing!

Use 'is constituted by' when you want to indicate the entity or force that is responsible for the formation or creation of something.

Examples:

The painting is constituted by various colors.
The team's success is constituted by hard work and dedication.
The beauty of the garden is constituted by the variety of flowers.
The success of the project is constituted by the collaboration of the team members.
The strength of the organization is constituted by its employees.

Alternatives:

is formed by
is created by
is shaped by
is brought about by
is established by

Use 'is constituted of' when you want to talk about the parts or elements that form something.

Examples:

The committee is constituted of five members.
The team is constituted of players from different countries.
The book is constituted of ten chapters.
The necklace is constituted of pearls and gold.
The cake is constituted of flour, sugar, and eggs.

Alternatives:

is made up of
is composed of
consists of
comprises
is formed of

Both 'is constituted of' and 'is constituted by' are correct phrases, but they are used in different contexts. 'Is constituted of' is used when describing the components or elements that make up something, while 'is constituted by' is used when referring to the agent or force responsible for creating or forming something.

Last Updated: March 21, 2024