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Prepositions after verbs

Constitute by, constitute in, or constitute under?

Constitute is usually transitive without a following preposition. Constitute in and constitute under are uncommon or context-specific, while constitute by is generally not idiomatic.

Quick answer

How is constitute normally used?

The verb constitute usually takes a direct object without a preposition: "Several parts constitute the whole." Expressions with in or under appear only in limited formal contexts. Constitute by is not standard English.

Five members constitute the committee.
These actions constitute a breach of contract.
The offence is constituted under federal law.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
constitute + noun

Defining what something forms or represents

This is the standard pattern. The subject forms, makes up, or legally counts as something.

Poor lighting constitutes a safety risk.
Three departments constitute the new division.
2
be constituted under + law/rules

Referring to legal authority

In formal legal English, constituted under refers to creation or recognition under a law or system.

The agency was constituted under state legislation.
The panel is constituted under the company charter.
3
consist in + noun

Expressing the essential feature

English usually prefers consist in rather than constitute in when describing the essence of something.

True leadership consists in serving others.
The difficulty consists in limited funding.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
constitute + noun
These facts constitute evidence.
Standard use meaning form or amount to.
constitute in
This construction is rare in modern English.
Usually replaced by consist in or constitute without a preposition.
constitute under
The board was constituted under national law.
Formal legal use about authority or creation.
constitute by
This combination is generally not idiomatic.
English normally uses constitute without by.

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Adding by after constitute

Constitute does not normally take by after it.

✕ The team was constituted by five experts. ✓ The team consisted of five experts.

Using constitute in for essential meaning

English usually uses consist in for this idea.

✕ Her strength constitutes in patience. ✓ Her strength consists in patience.

Confusing constitute with consist of

The subject and object are reversed in these verbs.

✕ The committee constitutes of ten members. ✓ The committee consists of ten members.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. Five regions ___ the federation.
2. The court was constituted ___ national law.
3. The main challenge consists ___ finding qualified staff.

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Frequently asked questions

Is constitute by correct English?

It is generally nonstandard. English normally uses constitute directly or a different verb such as consist of.

Can constitute under be correct?

Yes, especially in legal and administrative writing about organisations or bodies created under laws or regulations.

What is the difference between constitute and consist of?

Constitute means form or make up, while consist of lists the parts that compose something.

calculate, by, calculate, in, calculate, from "call for" or "call on"? "campaign for" or "campaign against"? cancel by, due, at, in or for? capitulate to, in, like, by or after? captivate by, for, with, from or in? "capture by" or "capture in"? "care about" or "care for"? carry with, by, in, to or into? carve into, out, in, on or with? cast in, into, for, by or on? "catch in", "catch by" or "catch on"?

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