constitute
verb (formal)Verb Forms
| present simple I / you / we / they constitute | |
| he / she / it constitutes | |
| past simple constituted | |
| past participle constituted | |
| -ing form constituting |
- linking verb + noun
(not used in the progressive tenses 不用于进行时 to be considered to be something （被认为或看作）是；被算作 Does such an activity constitute a criminal offence? 难道这样的活动也算刑事犯罪吗？ The increase in racial tension constitutes a threat to our society. 种族间紧张状态的升级是对我们社会的一种威胁。 to constitute a danger/crime/breach/nuisance 构成危险/犯罪/破坏/妨害 His action was interpreted as constituting a threat to the community. 他的行为被解释为对社区构成威胁。
Extra ExamplesThe census constitutes the principal source of official statistics. 人口普查是官方统计数字的主要来源。 The committee ruled that the US ban constituted an infringement of free trade. 委员会裁定美国的禁令对自由贸易构成了侵犯。 The conference in itself constitutes a solid achievement. 会议本身就是一项坚实的成就。 This action constitutes a violation of international law. 这一行动违反了国际法。
- linking verb + noun
(not used in the progressive tenses 不用于进行时 to be the parts that together form something 组成；构成 Female workers constitute the majority of the labour force. 女性雇员占劳动力的多数。 People under the age of 40 constitute the majority of the labour force. 40岁以下的人占劳动力的多数。
- [transitive, usually passive]
to form a group legally or officially （合法或正式地）成立，设立
Word Originlate Middle English: from Latin constitut- ‘established, appointed’, from the verb constituere, from con- ‘together’ + statuere ‘set up’.