consists only of vs consists of only

Both "consists only of" and "consists of only" are correct, but they are used in slightly different contexts. "Consists only of" is more commonly used and emphasizes that the subject is exclusively made up of the mentioned elements. On the other hand, "consists of only" can be used when the emphasis is on the limited number of elements in the subject.

Last updated: April 01, 2024 • 6161 views

consists only of

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

This phrase is used to emphasize that the subject is exclusively made up of the mentioned elements.

Examples:

The committee consists only of senior members.
The diet consists only of fruits and vegetables.
The collection consists only of rare coins.
The team consists only of experienced players.
The menu consists only of vegetarian dishes.

Show examples from the web [+]

The condition leaves much to be desired, the space consists only of potholes.
the hedging relationship consists only of eligible hedging instruments and eligible hedged items.
CRA, by contrast, uses a comparator sample that consists only of other European postal incumbents.
tonschnoer | 2014-12 | Toilet consists only of a Dixi toilet.
This pattern consists only of single-character patterns (The letters K, e...)
the active component(s) of the additive consists only of micro-organisms or enzymes).
Paragraph 5 shall not apply where all the manufacturers included in the pool are part of the same group of connected manufacturers or where the pool consists only of one manufacturer pooling his passenger car and light commercial vehicle fleets.
The Spanish authorities argued that the Measure consists only of compensation for damages due to the reallocation of terrestrial frequencies.
The type of roundworms consists only of one extensive class - nematod.
The proposal consists only of technical amendments which make it clear that:
First of all it is not a long and detailed document, but consists only of brief extremely compressed chapters.
The "short Lüscher test" consists only of 8 colour cards, which are arranged by the subject in a preferred order.
Made using a unique and proprietary process, this moisturizing and healing cream with colloidal silver consists only of 100% natural materials.
The Authority understands that there could be situations in which the bioenergy consists only of a fraction of biomass.
It is noted that the Community industry consists only of two parties of which only one operates on the captive market.
Unlike in the air or rail transport sector, the crew of a bus or coach normally consists only of the driver, who, for obvious reasons, cannot offer assistance during the journey.
EPP consists only of water and carbon, is washable and drier-proof up to 120ºC. EPS is a synthetic material which is distinguished by its flexibility.
Besides, let me say that this entire House consists only of mature persons!
The image of the world transmitted to them by the media consists only of violence and illusion.
A unipolar lead consists only of what is the core of the bipolar lead.

Alternatives:

is composed solely of
is made up exclusively of
is entirely comprised of

consists of only

This phrase is correct but less commonly used than "consists only of."

This phrase can be used when the emphasis is on the limited number of elements in the subject.