What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
constitute
Example
The ingredients of this dish constitute a balanced meal. [constitute: verb]
Example
The committee is constituted by members from different departments. [constituted: past participle]
represent
Example
The lawyer will represent the client in court. [represent: verb]
Example
The painting represents a beautiful landscape. [represents: third person singular]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Represent is more commonly used than constitute in everyday language. Represent is a versatile word that can be used in different contexts, while constitute is more specific and often used in technical or scientific writing.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between constitute and represent?
Both constitute and represent are commonly used in academic or formal writing. However, constitute may be perceived as more technical or specialized, while represent can be used in a wider range of formality levels.
