"made up of" vs "consist of"

Question

"made up of" vs "consist of"

Both "consist of" and "made up of" are correct phrases used to describe the composition of something. They can be used interchangeably in most contexts, but there are subtle differences in usage. "Consist of" is more formal and is often used in academic or technical writing, while "made up of" is more common in everyday language.

Last Updated: March 31, 2024

Use "made up of" to describe the composition or constituents of something. It is more informal and is commonly used in everyday language.

Examples:

The team is made up of players from different countries.
The necklace is made up of pearls and gold.
The committee is made up of volunteers.

Alternatives:

composed of
consist of
comprise

Use "consist of" to describe the components or elements that make up something. It is more formal and is often used in academic or technical writing.

Examples:

The committee consists of five members.
The book consists of ten chapters.
The ingredients consist of flour, sugar, and eggs.

Alternatives:

comprise
be composed of
be made up of

Answer 1

made up of

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English, especially in everyday language.

Answer 2

consist of

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English, especially in formal or technical contexts.

"made up of" vs "consist of"

made up of

consist of

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