a bit of material

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a bit of material" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a small amount or piece of something, often in contexts related to physical objects, information, or resources. Example: "I just need a bit of material to finish this project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

So I have quite a bit of material.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

I can't really think of a bit of material by him.

The Guardian

Even so, I used to do a bit of material in which I asked what I should do with my used wedding dress.

The Guardian

I was doing a bit of material about married men needing a service where people listen to their inane conversation, and a woman in the audience said: "Looks like you've found yours".

The Guardian

I thought we do this and I leave feeling better!'" Fortunately, life's tragicomic trajectory is always good for a bit of material, and in Baumbach's new film, While We're Young, the director has transposed the experience of being in his mid-40s on to Ben Stiller's documentarian Josh, who halfway through the action (and just when he's starting to feel young again) is diagnosed with mild arthritis.

The Guardian - Film

I think there's quite a bit of material for both parties to learn from each other.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Centres of Cataclysm does accommodate quite a bit of inert material.

The Guardian - Books

The theme is puns on common theatrical phrases, and a bit of bonus material makes its own encore.

The New York Times

"When I left art school, my idea was to try to indigenize — to get a bit of indigenous material into my psyche," he once told an interviewer.

The New York Times - Arts

Still, Mr. Christian (the constructor, not the mutineer) has gotten quite a bit of theme material in here, including the circled letters "E" and "T".

The New York Times

The fearsome concerns are many: a little lengthening of the telomere here, a bit of genetic material from a soil bacterium there, a fistful of stem cells – the next thing you know, it all explodes in your face.

MIT Technology Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a bit of material", ensure the context clearly indicates whether you are referring to a physical substance or abstract content. If ambiguity exists, use more specific wording.

Common error

Avoid using "a bit of material" excessively in formal documents. Opt for more precise and professional alternatives like "a small amount of data" or "a limited quantity of resources" to maintain a polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a bit of material" primarily functions as a noun phrase, acting as the object or complement in a sentence. It refers to a small quantity or portion of something tangible or intangible, as demonstrated in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

26%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Science

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a bit of material" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that refers to a small quantity or portion of something. As highlighted by Ludwig, its usage spans various contexts, from news articles to academic papers, though it leans towards informal. When writing, it's important to consider the context and whether a more precise term might be more appropriate. While generally acceptable, avoid overuse in formal documents to maintain a polished tone. Alternatives like ""some material"" or ""a small amount of material"" can offer greater clarity and formality depending on the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a little material

This option is shorter and more informal, but conveys the same meaning.

a small amount of material

This alternative explicitly specifies the quantity as small, adding emphasis.

a piece of material

A more generic alternative, suitable for various contexts.

some material

This alternative is a more general term, lacking the implication of a small quantity.

a sample of material

Suggests the material is being presented as a representative example.

a portion of material

Replaces "bit" with "portion", indicating a share or segment of the material.

a fragment of material

Suggests the material is broken or incomplete.

a scrap of material

Implies the material is a leftover or discarded piece.

a touch of material

Indicates a very small quantity, almost negligible.

a modicum of material

More formal and emphasizes a limited quantity.

FAQs

How can I use "a bit of material" in a sentence?

You can use "a bit of material" to refer to a small quantity or piece of something, for example: "I need "a bit of material" to repair this." or "The lecturer presented "a bit of material" on the subject."

What's a good alternative to "a bit of material"?

Alternatives include "some material", "a small amount of material", or "a little material", depending on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it appropriate to use "a bit of material" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "a bit of material" might be considered too informal for certain formal contexts. Consider using more precise alternatives like "a small quantity of resources" or "a limited amount of information" for a more professional tone.

What does "a bit of material" mean?

"A bit of material" refers to a small portion or quantity of something, which can be either a physical substance or abstract content. For instance, it could refer to "a small piece of fabric" or "a small amount of data".