consist
consist
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "consist" is /kənˈsɪst/.
Here's a breakdown of the sounds in each syllable:
kən:
/k/: Voiceless velar stop
/ə/: Schwa (mid-central vowel)
/n/: Alveolar nasal
ˈsɪst:
/s/: Voiceless alveolar fricative
/ɪ/: Near-close near-front unrounded vowel (as in "kit")
/s/: Voiceless alveolar fricative
/t/: Voiceless alveolar stop
Word Form Variations
Consist" primarily functions as a verb. It has related forms that serve as other parts of speech.
Verb Forms:
Base Form: consist (e.g., "The team will consist of five members.")
Third-person singular present: consists (e.g., "The meal consists of rice and beans.")
Present participle: consisting (e.g., "The group is consisting of diverse individuals.")
Past tense: consisted (e.g., "The book consisted of three parts.")
Past participle: consisted (e.g., "The evidence consisted of several documents.")
Related Forms:
Noun: consistency (e.g., "His work shows great consistency.")
Adjective: consistent (e.g., "Her performance is consistent.")
Adverb: consistently (e.g., "He performs consistently well.")
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Verb Definitions
To be made up or composed of (usually followed by "of").
Synonyms: Comprise, comprise of, contain, include, be composed of, be made up of, be constituted by
Antonyms: Exclude, lack, omit, miss
To have as the main or only part or element (usually followed by "in").
Synonyms: Lie in, reside in, be inherent in, be contained in, hinge on, rest on
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms; implies central element, so antonyms would be "be irrelevant to," "be separate from")
(Rare, archaic, or formal) To stand firm; to be consistent.
Synonyms: Stand, be firm, remain, hold true
Antonyms: Deviate, waver, collapse, fall apart
Examples of Use
Books
"Happiness does not consist in having what you want, but in wanting what you have." (Confucius, often paraphrased)
"The novel's narrative structure primarily consisted of a series of interconnected flashbacks." (Common in literary analysis or fiction reviews)
Newspapers and Online Publications
"The proposed peace plan will consist of three main phases, beginning with a ceasefire." (The Guardian)
"A balanced diet should consist of a variety of fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins." (WebMD)
"The new software update will primarily consist in optimizing performance and fixing bugs." (TechCrunch)
Entertainment Mediums and Platforms
Film: In Ocean's Eleven (2001), the plan to rob the casino will consist of intricate timing and specialized roles for each team member.
Television: "This season's challenge will consist of creating a three-course meal using only local ingredients." (Heard on cooking competition shows)
Music: A band's live set might consist of a mix of new songs and classic hits.
Video Games: The main objective of the game often consists in collecting certain items or defeating a series of bosses.
General Public Discourse
"My daily routine usually consists of waking up early, exercising, and then work." (Everyday conversation about habits)
"True friendship doesn't consist in having many friends, but in having good ones." (Common sentiment shared among friends)
"The problem doesn't consist in a lack of effort, but in a lack of resources." (Explaining a challenge)
"The evidence consists of witness testimonies and forensic analysis." (Discussing facts or proof)
10 Quotes Using Consist
"Happiness does not consist in having what you want, but in wanting what you have." (Confucius)
"The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting." (Sun Tzu, The Art of War) - This implies that true victory does not consist in battle.
"The essence of strategy is choosing what not to do." (Michael Porter) - This refers to what good strategy does not consist of.
"Excellence is never an accident. It is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, and intelligent execution; it represents the wise choice of many alternatives – choice, not chance, determines your destiny." (Aristotle) - This outlines what excellence does consist of.
"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter." (Martin Luther King Jr.) - This implies that a meaningful life does not consist of silence on important issues.
"The strength of the team is each individual member. The strength of each member is the team." (Phil Jackson) - This speaks to what team strength does consist of.
"Life does not consist of holding good cards, but in playing those you hold well." (Josh Billings)
"My theory of life is that if we do the best we can, consistently, we'll probably have a very good life." (Unknown, common motivational saying)
"True generosity does not consist in giving presents, but in giving oneself." (Antoine de Saint-Exupéry)
"All truly great thoughts are conceived by walking." (Friedrich Nietzsche) - This suggests that inspiration can consist of physical activity.
Etymology
The word "consist" comes from the Latin verb "consistere," which meant "to stand together," "to take a stand," or "to be present." This Latin word is formed from "con-" (meaning "together" or "with") and "sistere" (meaning "to stand" or "to place").
So, at its root, "consist" is about things standing or being placed together to form a whole or to be present in a particular state.
The first known use of "consist" in English, appearing around the late 14th century, referred to being composed or made up of certain elements, or to stand firm or remain in existence. The sense of "being composed of" (as in "the team consists of five players") is the most common meaning today and has been present since its early English use.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Consist
Consist of: To be made up of; to comprise.
Example: "The committee will consist of five members."
Consist in: To have as its main or only part or element; to be found in.
Example: "True happiness doesn't consist in material possessions."
Consist with: To be in agreement or harmony with (less common but still used).
Example: "His actions don't consist with his stated beliefs."
Be comprised of: (Using a synonym, meaning to be composed of).
Example: "The final report is comprised of several sections."
Be composed of: (Using a synonym, meaning to be made up of).
Example: "Water is composed of hydrogen and oxygen."
Be made up of: (Using a synonym, meaning to be constituted by).
Example: "Her diet is made up of mostly vegetables."
Reside in: (Meaning to be found in or to lie in, similar to 'consist in').
Example: "The power of the argument resides in its simplicity."
Hinge on: (An idiom meaning to depend entirely on something, similar to 'consist in' when referring to a central element).
Example: "The success of the mission will hinge on clear communication."
Be built upon: (Meaning to be founded or constructed from, implying components).
Example: "Their reputation is built upon years of consistent quality."
Draw on: (Meaning to use as a source or foundation, similar to what something might consist of).
Example: "Her presentation will draw on research from various fields."
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of consist from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
