a mass of material

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a mass of material" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a large quantity or accumulation of physical substances or items. Example: "The archaeologists discovered a mass of material buried beneath the ancient ruins, which provided valuable insights into the civilization's daily life."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

Thirty years of programming is a mass of material, and none of it has been lost.

The Guardian - Opinion

A mass of material lay strewn about, looking somewhat less grandiose than the term antiquities implies.

The New York Times

When you are confronted with a mass of material on learning disability, easy-read versions can be a godsend.

The Guardian

In response, Alice Lee explained in a letter that her sister "had collected quite a mass of material" but had "never actually prepared anything for publication".

The New Yorker

A novel that successfully connects and brings to life such a mass of material must be exceptionally brilliant, and possibly quite long.

The Guardian - Books

Political commentators in the Middle East enormously more informed than I am make their judgments on a mass of material and experience which I do not possess.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

The primary purpose of descriptive bibliography is to organize detailed information culled from a mass of materials in a systematic way so that others can have access to useful information.

Britannica

Then, recorded in Camminare: "Wine gives me pleasure, not because of what it makes me feel but for what the wine seems to express". He left us a mass of materials too vast to cover in this article.

Forbes

The female uses the ovipositor to press the eggs into a mass of decaying material.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But even a small nuclear weapon detonated below ground would spew out a mass of radioactive material.

The New York Times

Although it yielded a mass of fossil material, the dig revealed that Reck's "early human" find was, in fact, only a few thousand years old.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to abstract concepts, consider more precise alternatives like "body of evidence" or "collection of data" to enhance clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "a mass of material" when a more specific term like "data", "evidence", or "resources" would provide greater clarity and precision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a mass of material" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a substantial quantity of something, often unspecified, as seen in Ludwig's examples. The phrase acts as a collective noun.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Encyclopedias

24%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a mass of material" is a noun phrase used to describe a substantial quantity of something, whether tangible or intangible. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and usable in written English. The phrase is common, appearing most frequently in news and media, encyclopedias, and academic contexts. Related phrases include "a large quantity of stuff" and "an accumulation of matter". When using this phrase, remember to consider if a more specific term would provide greater clarity. Authoritative sources such as The Guardian, The New York Times, and Encyclopedia Britannica frequently employ this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an accumulation of matter

Uses the more scientific term "matter" and "accumulation" suggesting a gradual build-up.

a large quantity of stuff

Replaces "material" with a more informal term "stuff" and uses "large quantity" instead of "mass", making it less precise.

an abundance of supplies

Uses "abundance" to emphasize the plentiful nature of the supplies.

a collection of items

Replaces "mass" with "collection" and "material" with "items", suggesting a more organized or curated group.

a pile of resources

Substitutes "material" with "resources", implying that the material has some value or utility.

a heap of things

Uses the more casual term "heap" and "things", indicating a disorganized pile.

a body of evidence

Replaces "material" with "evidence", implying the context is related to proving something.

a store of goods

Replaces "material" with "goods", implying the material is intended for sale or trade.

a cluster of data

Substitutes "material" with "data", implying the context is related to information or statistics.

a stockpile of components

Replaces "mass" with "stockpile" and "material" with "components" suggesting the context is related to manufacturing or construction.

FAQs

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

You can use "a mass of material" to describe a large quantity of something, such as "The archaeologists discovered "a mass of material" buried beneath the ruins."

What can I say instead of "a mass of material"?

Alternatives include "a large quantity of stuff", "a collection of items", or "an accumulation of matter", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "a mass of material" or "a lot of material"?

"A lot of material" is more informal. "A mass of material" is more appropriate in formal or technical contexts, suggesting a significant quantity with potential weight or density.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "a mass of material"?

Use ""a mass of material"" when referring to a substantial quantity of physical substance, especially when the specific composition or nature of the material isn't the primary focus.