English learners often confuse consist in and consist of because both use the verb consist, but they express completely different ideas.
At first glance, they may seem interchangeable, yet using the wrong preposition can change the meaning of your sentence. The difference is simple once you understand it.
Consist of is used when talking about the parts or elements that make up something, while consist in is used when talking about the essence, nature, or most important aspect of something.
Knowing when to use each phrase will help you write more naturally in academic writing, business communication, professional documents, and everyday English.
In this guide, you’ll learn the exact difference between consist in vs consist of, discover when each phrase is correct, avoid common mistakes, and see plenty of real-life examples that make the distinction easy to remember.
Quick Answer
Use consist of when you mean “be made up of.”
Use consist in when you mean “have its essence or main feature in.”
They are both grammatically correct, but they are not interchangeable because they express different meanings.
Consist In vs Consist Of Comparison Table
| Feature | Consist Of | Consist In |
|---|---|---|
| Main Meaning | Be made up of | Have its essence in |
| Basic Idea | Parts or components | Nature or essential quality |
| Grammar Pattern | Consist of + noun | Consist in + noun or -ing phrase |
| Common Usage | Very common | Less common |
| Everyday English | Frequently used | Occasionally used |
| Academic Writing | Common | Common in formal discussions |
| Business Writing | Very common | Used in formal explanations |
| Professional Writing | Common | Moderate |
| Formality | Neutral | More formal |
| Common Question | What is it made of? | Where does its value lie? |
| Interchangeable? | No | No |
| Example | The team consists of ten players. | Success consists in hard work. |
| Common Mistake | Using consist in for parts | Using consist of for abstract ideas |
| US vs UK | Common in both | Correct in both |
| Easy Memory Tip | Think parts | Think essence |
What Does Consist Of Mean?
Definition
Consist of means to be made up of, to contain, or to include particular parts, members, or elements.
It answers the question:
“What is something made up of?”
Meaning
Whenever you describe the components of a whole, consist of is the correct choice.
The whole comes first, followed by the things that form it.
Pattern
Something + consists of + parts
Examples:
- A committee consists of several members.
- Consist In vs Consist Of
- The package consists of five items.
Origin
The verb consist comes from the Latin consistere, meaning to stand together or to be composed.
Over time, English developed the expression consist of to describe something that is formed from separate parts.
Today, this is by far the most common use of the verb.
Grammar
Structure
Subject + consist(s) of + noun/noun phrase
Examples:
- The course consists of six modules.
- Consist In vs Consist Of
- Our team consists of experienced engineers.
Remember that consist is an intransitive verb, so it is not used in the passive voice.
✔ The committee consists of ten members.
✘ The committee is consisted of ten members.
Pronunciation
Consist
/kənˈsɪst/
Consist of
/kənˈsɪst əv/
In connected speech, of is often pronounced with a weak sound.
When to Use Consist Of
Use consist of whenever you’re talking about:
- Parts
- Consist In vs Consist Of
- Members
- Ingredients
- Sections
- Elements
- Consist In vs Consist Of
- Groups
Examples:
- Consist In vs Consist Of
- The orchestra consists of talented musicians.
- The recipe consists of simple ingredients.
- The family consists of four people.
- Consist In vs Consist Of
Professional Use
Business writing often describes structures and compositions.
Examples:
- The project team consists of specialists from different departments.
- Consist In vs Consist Of
- The board consists of independent directors.
Academic Use
Academic writing frequently explains composition.
Examples:
- Consist In vs Consist Of
- The survey consists of twenty questions.
- The course consists of lectures and laboratory sessions.
Everyday Use
Native speakers regularly use consist of in daily conversation.
Examples:
- My breakfast consists of fruit and yogurt.
- Consist In vs Consist Of
- Our weekend plan consists of hiking and camping.
Common Collocations
You’ll often see consist of with words like:
- Consist In vs Consist Of
- parts
- members
- chapters
- sections
- pages
- Consist In vs Consist Of
- people
- students
- materials
- elements
- components
- layers
- Consist In vs Consist Of
- modules
Examples:
- The machine consists of several components.
- Consist In vs Consist Of
- The class consists of international students.
Examples
- The committee consists of twelve members.
- Consist In vs Consist Of
- The menu consists of traditional dishes.
- The city consists of many neighborhoods.
- The library consists of thousands of books.
- Consist In vs Consist Of
- The workshop consists of practical sessions.
- The package consists of three boxes.
- The garden consists of native plants.
- Consist In vs Consist Of
Common Mistakes
Incorrect
The team consists in eleven players.
Correct
The team consists of eleven players.
Why?
You’re describing the members that make up the team.
Incorrect
The cake consists in flour, eggs, and sugar.
Correct
The cake consists of flour, eggs, and sugar.
Why?
Ingredients are parts of the whole.
Tip
Whenever you can replace the phrase with “is made up of,” use consist of.
Example:
The class is made up of twenty students.
↓
The class consists of twenty students.
What Does Consist In Mean?
Definition
Consist in means to have its true nature, essence, value, or main feature in something.
It does not describe physical parts.
Instead, it explains what something depends on or where its importance lies.
Meaning
Use consist in when talking about abstract ideas such as:
- success
- happiness
- Consist In vs Consist Of
- courage
- leadership
- beauty
- freedom
- excellence
It answers the question:
“Where does the real value or essence lie?”
Origin
This expression also comes from the Latin roots behind consist, where the idea developed from standing or existing in something rather than being physically composed of parts.
Because of this history, consist in became associated with meanings such as depend on, lie in, or have its essence in.
Grammar
Structure
Subject + consist(s) in + noun
or
Subject + consist(s) in + verb-ing
Examples:
- Happiness consists in appreciating simple moments.
- Consist In vs Consist Of
- Success consists in continuous learning.
Pronunciation
Consist in
/kənˈsɪst ɪn/
The pronunciation follows the normal pronunciation of consist, with in clearly pronounced.
When to Use Consist In
Choose consist in when discussing:
- essence
- principle
- value
- Consist In vs Consist Of
- purpose
- true nature
- fundamental quality
- defining characteristic
Examples:
- Wisdom consists in making good decisions.
- Happiness consists in being grateful.
- Freedom consists in having meaningful choices.
- Consist In vs Consist Of
- Leadership consists in serving others.
Professional Use
Formal writing sometimes uses consist in to explain principles.
Examples:
- Effective management consists in clear communication.
- Customer satisfaction consists in exceeding expectations.
- Consist In vs Consist Of
Academic Use
Academic writing often uses the phrase when defining concepts.
Examples:
- Consist In vs Consist Of
- Critical thinking consists in evaluating evidence carefully.
- Learning consists in building new understanding over time.
Everyday Use
Although less common in casual conversation, native speakers still use consist in when expressing ideas about life or values.
Examples:
- Real friendship consists in supporting each other.
- Consist In vs Consist Of
- Confidence consists in believing in yourself.
Common Collocations
Common words used with consist in include:
- success
- happiness
- wisdom
- Consist In vs Consist Of
- leadership
- beauty
- freedom
- strength
- value
- purpose
- achievement
- progress
- learning
- discipline
- Consist In vs Consist Of
Examples:
- Success consists in persistence.
- Beauty consists in simplicity.
- Consist In vs Consist Of
Examples
- True happiness consists in appreciating the present.
- Success consists in learning from failure.
- Leadership consists in inspiring others.
- Consist In vs Consist Of
- Education consists in developing curiosity.
- Excellence consists in improving every day.
- Real courage consists in doing the right thing.
- Wisdom consists in knowing when to speak.
- Friendship consists in mutual respect.
- Growth consists in embracing challenges.
Common Mistakes
Incorrect
Success consists of working hard.
Better
Success consists in working hard.
Why?
Working hard is the essence of success, not one of its physical parts.
Incorrect
Leadership consists of earning trust.
Better
Leadership consists in earning trust.
Why?
You’re describing the defining quality of leadership, not its components.
Tip
If you can replace the phrase with “lies in”, then consist in is probably the correct choice.
Example:
Success lies in persistence.
↓
Success consists in persistence.
Key Differences Between Consist In vs Consist Of
Although consist in and consist of use the same verb, they answer two completely different questions.
- Consist of answers “What is it made up of?”
- Consist in answers “What is its true nature or essence?”
Think of it this way:
- Consist In vs Consist Of
- If you’re talking about meaning, value, or essence, use consist in.
Here are the most important differences.
| Consist Of | Consist In |
|---|---|
| Describes parts or components | Describes essence or nature |
| Means is made up of | Means lies in or depends on |
| Used for physical or logical composition | Used for abstract ideas |
| Very common in everyday English | Less common and more formal |
| Answers “What is it made of?” | Answers “Where does its value lie?” |
| The book consists of ten chapters. | Success consists in hard work. |
Grammar Explanation
Understanding the grammar behind these two expressions makes choosing the correct one much easier.
Why the Preposition Changes the Meaning
The verb consist changes meaning depending on the preposition that follows it.
- Consist In vs Consist Of
- in expresses essence or defining quality.
Compare these examples:
- The recipe consists of fresh vegetables and herbs.
- Healthy living consists in making good daily choices.
The first sentence lists ingredients.
The second explains the key principle.
Verb Pattern
The verb consist is an intransitive verb.
That means it is followed by a prepositional phrase rather than a direct object.
Pattern with Consist Of
Subject + consist(s) of + noun
Examples
- The committee consists of eight members.
- Consist In vs Consist Of
- The meal consists of soup, rice, and vegetables.
Pattern with Consist In
Subject + consist(s) in + noun
or
Subject + consist(s) in + verb-ing
Examples
- Consist In vs Consist Of
- Leadership consists in serving others.
- Success consists in continuous improvement.
Parts of Speech
Consist is always used as a verb.
The word following the preposition is usually:
After of
- noun
- noun phrase
- pronoun
Examples
- consists of books
- consists of experts
- consists of water
After in
- noun
- Consist In vs Consist Of
- gerund (-ing form)
Examples
- Consist In vs Consist Of
- consists in discipline
- consists in helping others
Subject–Verb Agreement
The verb changes according to the subject.
Singular Subject
- The class consists of thirty students.
- Consist In vs Consist Of
Plural Subject
- The classes consist of thirty students each.
- Their achievements consist in years of dedication.
Tense Usage
Present Simple
Most common.
- The team consists of experienced players.
- Consist In vs Consist Of
Past Simple
- The exhibition consisted of modern paintings.
- His strength consisted in remaining calm.
Future Simple
- The workshop will consist of three sessions.
- Their advantage will consist in better preparation.
Present Perfect
- The program has consisted of weekly meetings for years.
- His success has consisted in consistent effort.
Can You Use the Passive Voice?
No.
The verb consist is not normally used in the passive voice.
Correct
- The package consists of five items.
Incorrect
- The package is consisted of five items.
Instead, write
- The package is made up of five items.
Can You Replace Them?
Sometimes.
Replace Consist Of
You can often use:
- be made up of
- include
- contain
- comprise (used carefully)
Examples
The course consists of six lessons.
The course is made up of six lessons.
The course includes six lessons.
Replace Consist In
Possible alternatives include:
- lie in
- depend on
- be found in
- be based on
Examples
Success consists in persistence.
Success lies in persistence.
Formal and Informal Usage
Consist Of
Used in:
- Everyday conversations
- Newspapers
- Business reports
- Emails
- Academic writing
- Technical documents
It sounds natural in almost every context.
Consist In
More common in:
- Academic writing
- Philosophy
- Literature
- Formal speeches
- Essays
- Motivational writing
It is less common in casual conversation.
American English vs British English
There is no significant difference between American and British English.
Both varieties use:
- consist of
- consist in
The difference depends on meaning, not geography.
Style Guide Notes
Major English style guides and professional editors treat both expressions as correct.
Their recommendation is simple:
- Use consist of for composition.
- Use consist in for essence or defining characteristics.
Choosing the correct preposition improves clarity and avoids ambiguity.
Which One Is Correct?
This is one of the most common questions learners ask.
The answer is:
Both are correct.
However, they are correct in different situations.
Use Consist Of
When listing:
- parts
- members
- ingredients
- sections
- components
Examples
- The team consists of eleven players.
- Water consists of hydrogen and oxygen.
- The exam consists of four sections.
Use Consist In
When explaining:
- true nature
- value
- essence
- defining principle
Examples
- Success consists in perseverance.
- Leadership consists in inspiring others.
- Wisdom consists in making thoughtful decisions.
Which One Is More Common?
Without question,
consist of is much more common.
You will hear it every day in:
- schools
- workplaces
- newspapers
- television
- business meetings
- academic textbooks
Examples
- The apartment consists of two bedrooms.
- The course consists of ten lessons.
- The meal consists of three dishes.
Consist in appears less often because people frequently use alternatives such as:
- lies in
- depends on
- comes from
Example
Instead of
Success consists in determination.
Many speakers naturally say
Success lies in determination.
Which One Should You Use?
Ask yourself one question.
Are you talking about parts?
If yes,
Use consist of.
Example
The computer consists of several components.
Are you talking about the essence or defining quality?
If yes,
Use consist in.
Example
True leadership consists in serving others.
A simple decision guide:
| Question | Use |
|---|---|
| What is it made of? | Consist of |
| Where does its value lie? | Consist in |
Can They Be Interchanged?
No.
Changing the preposition changes the meaning.
Compare these sentences.
Correct
The dessert consists of chocolate and cream.
The sentence lists ingredients.
Incorrect
The dessert consists in chocolate and cream.
This sounds unnatural because ingredients are parts, not an abstract principle.
Another example.
Correct
Success consists in persistence.
The sentence explains the essence of success.
Awkward
Success consists of persistence.
This suggests persistence is a physical component of success, which is not the intended meaning.
Real-Life Examples
Everyday Conversation
- My lunch usually consists of rice and vegetables.
- Real happiness consists in appreciating simple moments.
- Our family consists of five people.
- Good friendships consist in mutual respect.
School
- The science project consists of three experiments.
- Learning consists in asking thoughtful questions.
Business
- The proposal consists of four stages.
- Strong leadership consists in earning employee trust.
- The training program consists of six online sessions.
- Long-term success consists in building strong client relationships.
Academic Writing
- The sample consists of one hundred participants.
- Scientific progress often consists in challenging existing ideas.
Professional Writing
- The report consists of detailed financial data.
- Effective communication consists in delivering clear messages.
Social Media
- My workout consists of thirty minutes of running.
- Real confidence consists in accepting yourself.
Daily Speaking
- Dinner consists of homemade soup and bread.
- Happiness consists in spending time with loved ones.
Text Messages
- The package consists of everything you ordered.
- Success consists in never giving up.
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1
❌ The committee consists in ten members.
Why it’s wrong
You’re describing members.
✅ The committee consists of ten members.
Mistake 2
❌ The cake consists in sugar and butter.
Why it’s wrong
Sugar and butter are ingredients.
✅ The cake consists of sugar and butter.
Mistake 3
❌ Leadership consists of earning respect.
Better
Leadership consists in earning respect.
Reason:
You’re describing leadership’s defining quality.
Mistake 4
❌ The machine is consisted of many parts.
Why it’s wrong
“Consist” is not used in the passive voice.
✅ The machine consists of many parts.
or
✅ The machine is made up of many parts.
Mistake 5
❌ Success consists of working hard.
Better
Success consists in working hard.
Because the sentence explains what success depends on.
Memory Tricks
Trick 1
Of = Objects
If you’re talking about objects, parts, ingredients, or members, choose consist of.
Trick 2
In = Idea
If you’re talking about an idea, value, purpose, or essence, choose consist in.
Trick 3
Replace the phrase.
If you can say:
is made up of
→ use consist of
If you can say:
lies in
→ use consist in
Trick 4
Ask one simple question.
What is it made of?
→ consist of
Where does its value lie?
→ consist in
FAQs
Is it consist in or consist of?
Both are correct, but they have different meanings.
- Use consist of when talking about the parts that make up something.
- Use consist in when talking about the essence, nature, or main feature of something.
Examples
- The course consists of eight lessons.
- True happiness consists in appreciating what you have.
Can consist in and consist of be used interchangeably?
No.
Although both expressions use the verb consist, changing the preposition changes the meaning of the sentence.
Compare these examples:
- The meal consists of rice, vegetables, and chicken. ✅
- Healthy living consists in making good daily choices. ✅
Each sentence expresses a different idea.
Why is consist of more common?
Consist of is used whenever we describe:
- parts
- members
- ingredients
- components
- sections
Since people often describe what something is made of, this expression appears much more frequently in everyday English.
You’ll commonly see it in:
- conversations
- newspapers
- textbooks
- business reports
- websites
- technical documents
Is consist in old-fashioned?
Not at all.
It is still grammatically correct and appears regularly in:
- academic writing
- formal essays
- philosophy
- literature
- speeches
- professional writing
However, in everyday conversation, many native speakers prefer alternatives such as:
- lies in
- depends on
- comes from
These often sound more natural in casual English.
Can consist be used in the passive voice?
No.
The verb consist is not normally used in the passive voice.
Correct
- The report consists of five chapters.
- The team consists of experienced engineers.
Incorrect
- The report is consisted of five chapters.
- The team is consisted of experienced engineers.
If you need a passive construction, use be made up of instead.
- The report is made up of five chapters.
What is the difference between consist of and comprise?
Both describe composition, but they are used differently.
Consist of
The whole comes first.
- The committee consists of ten members.
Comprise
The whole also comes first.
- The committee comprises ten members.
In modern English, many writers also use:
- The committee is composed of ten members.
This is another common and natural alternative.
Is consist of formal or informal?
It works well in both.
You can confidently use it in:
- everyday conversation
- business writing
- academic papers
- reports
- emails
- professional documents
It is one of the most versatile expressions in English.
What can I use instead of consist in?
Depending on the context, you can replace consist in with:
- lie in
- depend on
- be found in
- be based on
- stem from (in some contexts)
Example:
- Success consists in persistence.
can become
- Success lies in persistence.
Both are natural, although the second is more common in modern English.
People Also Ask
Is consist in grammatically correct?
Yes. It is grammatically correct when referring to the essence, nature, or defining characteristic of something.
Is consist of always followed by a noun?
Usually, yes.
It is normally followed by a noun or noun phrase.
Examples:
- consists of water
- consists of experts
- consists of three chapters
Can consist in be followed by a verb?
Yes.
It is commonly followed by a gerund (-ing form).
Examples:
- Success consists in working hard.
- Happiness consists in helping others.
- Leadership consists in serving people.
Which expression do native speakers use more?
Native speakers overwhelmingly use consist of more often because discussions about parts and composition are more common than discussions about abstract principles.
Is there a difference between American and British English?
No significant difference.
Both American English and British English use:
- consist of
- consist in
The choice depends on meaning rather than regional preference.
Can I replace consist of with include?
Sometimes.
Example
The package consists of five books.
The package includes five books.
Both are acceptable, but there is a subtle difference.
- Consists of suggests those five books make up the entire package.
- Includes suggests there may be other items as well.
Which expression should English learners remember first?
Learn consist of first.
It is far more common and useful in everyday communication.
Once you’re comfortable with that expression, learn consist in for formal and abstract writing.
Related Grammar Topics
If you found this guide helpful, you may also want to learn the differences between:
- Comprise vs Compose
- Composed Of vs Comprised Of
- Include vs Contain
- Made Of vs Made From
- Made Up Of vs Consist Of
- Among vs Between
- Affect vs Effect
- Because Of vs Due To
- In Regard To vs With Regard To
- Consist Of vs Include
These topics will strengthen your understanding of English prepositions and verb patterns.
Quick Revision
Remember these two questions whenever you’re unsure.
Question 1
What is it made up of?
Answer:
Use consist of.
Example:
The library consists of thousands of books.
Question 2
Where does its true value or essence lie?
Answer:
Use consist in.
Example:
Wisdom consists in making thoughtful choices.
Key Takeaways
- Consist of means be made up of.
- Consist in means have its essence or main feature in.
- Both expressions are grammatically correct.
- They are not interchangeable.
- Use consist of for parts, members, ingredients, and components.
- Use consist in for abstract qualities, values, and defining principles.
- Consist of is much more common in everyday English.
- Consist in is more common in formal, academic, literary, and philosophical writing.
- Never use consist in the passive voice.
- If in doubt, ask yourself:
- Made up of? → consist of
- Essence or value? → consist in
Conclusion
When comparing consist in vs consist of, there is no single “correct” winner because each expression serves a different purpose.
Choose consist of whenever you are describing the parts, members, ingredients, or components that make up something.
It is the standard choice in everyday English, business communication, academic writing, and professional documents.
Choose consist in when you want to explain the essence, defining characteristic, or fundamental principle of an idea.
Although it is less common in daily conversation, it remains an accurate and respected expression in formal English.
The easiest way to remember the difference is this:
- Consist of = be made up of.
- Consist in = lie in.
Once you associate of with parts and in with essence, choosing the correct expression becomes simple and natural.
I am Julian Brooks, an English language enthusiast and content writer at EnglishAcademy. I create clear grammar lessons, vocabulary guides, and writing tips to help learners improve their English with confidence every day.