To Consist vs Consisting Infinitives & Gerunds

When and How to Use Each Expression?

Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!

To consist (Infinitive)

Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to consist" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action

Example

The team's strategy is to consist of quick passes and aggressive defense.

Consisting (Gerund)

Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "consisting" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.

Example

Consisting of fresh ingredients, the salad was delicious.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To consist (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To consist is important for a successful recipe.

  To consist is important for a successful recipe.

  • "*To consist*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective (important) + prepositional phrase (for a successful recipe).
• 2. Object

  They want the committee to consist of experienced professionals.

  They want the committee to consist of experienced professionals.

  • "The committee *to consist* of experienced professionals" is the object of the verb "want".
  • Noun (They) + verb (want) + noun phrase (the committee *to consist* of experienced professionals).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a team to consist of dedicated players.

  We need a team to consist of dedicated players.

  • "*To consist* of dedicated players" modifies the noun "team".
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a team *to consist* of dedicated players).

Consisting (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Consisting of different flavors, the dish was a hit.

  Consisting of different flavors, the dish was a hit.

  • "*Consisting* of different flavors" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (was) + noun phrase (different flavors).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy dishes consisting of various spices.

  I enjoy dishes consisting of various spices.

  • "Dishes *consisting* of various spices" is the object of the verb "enjoy".
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + noun phrase (dishes *consisting* of various spices).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a preference for meals consisting of organic ingredients.

  She has a preference for meals consisting of organic ingredients.

  • "For meals *consisting* of organic ingredients" is the object of the preposition "for".
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a preference for meals *consisting* of organic ingredients).

Verbs Taking Infinitives/Gerunds as Objects

The following are verbs that can take only the base form of the verb (infinitive), only the -ing form (gerund), or both.

Verbs Taking Infinitives as Objects

• plan
• hope
• want
• decide
• agree

Example

She plans to consist of multiple stages.

They hope to consist of diverse members.

He wants the group to consist of talented individuals.

We decided to consist of both experienced and new members.

They agreed to consist of equal representation from all departments.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• avoid
• imagine
• consider

Example

She enjoys meals consisting of fresh vegetables.

They recommend dishes consisting of local produce.

I avoid meals consisting of processed foods.

Can you imagine a world consisting of peace and harmony?

We are considering options consisting of sustainable materials.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes her outfit to consist of bright colors. She likes her wardrobe consisting of trendy pieces.

They started their project to consist of different phases. They started their journey consisting of challenging obstacles.

He began his speech to consist of personal anecdotes. He began his presentation consisting of statistical data.