a material

USAGE SUMMARY

"a material" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a substance or material that is being used or discussed in a sentence. Here are a few examples: 1. "The dress was made of a light, breathable material." 2. "The construction workers used a sturdy material to build the bridge." 3. "The professor's research focused on discovering new properties of a rare material." 4. "The artist experimented with combining different materials in her sculptures." In each of these examples, "a material" is used to specify the substance or material that is being talked about.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It is a material breach".

The Economist

Hematite (α-Fe2O3) is such a material.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It is a material art.

The New York Times - Arts

DNA in a material world.

Nature

Planning for a Material World.

Columbia University

"It's a material thing again," she said.

The New York Times

This has driven a material re-rating.

The Guardian - Business

That in itself is a material breach.

The Guardian

Kerouac was detained as a material witness.

The Guardian - Books

Desperation is a material for artists".

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

n is also a material-related parameter.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a material", be specific about its properties or intended use. For instance, instead of saying "They used a material for the bridge", specify "They used a durable material for the bridge".

Common error

Avoid using "a material" when the context requires a specific type of material. For instance, do not write "The building is made of a material" when you could specify "The building is made of concrete".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a material" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It indicates a substance with specific properties or a component used in a particular application, as Ludwig highlights with various examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Academia

16%

Science

16%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a material" is a versatile noun phrase used to refer to a substance with specific properties. Ludwig confirms that it is grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, as demonstrated by numerous examples. The phrase finds frequent use in News & Media, Academia and Science. While grammatically sound, writers should aim for specificity, replacing "a material" with more precise terms when context allows. As Ludwig shows, understanding how to use "a material" effectively enhances clarity and precision in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a substance

Emphasizes the composition or chemical nature of the matter being discussed.

a resource

Highlights the utility or availability of the material.

an element

Focuses on the basic building blocks of the matter.

a component

Refers to the material as part of a larger system or object.

a medium

Suggests that the material is used for a particular purpose or application.

a fabric

Implies a woven or textile material.

a constituent

Similar to "component" but may imply a more integral part.

a raw material

Specifies that the material is in its unprocessed state.

a compound

Refers to a material formed from two or more elements.

a product

Describes the material as a result of a manufacturing process.

FAQs

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

Use "a material" when referring to a specific substance with particular properties, such as "The artist chose "a durable material" for the sculpture" or "The dress was made from "a soft material"".

What are some alternatives to using "a material"?

Depending on the context, you could use "a substance", "a resource", or "an element". The best choice depends on the specific properties or use of the material you are describing.

When is it more appropriate to use a more specific term instead of "a material"?

It is more appropriate to use a specific term when the type of material is known and relevant to the context. For example, instead of saying "The structure was built with a material", specify "The structure was built with "steel"" or "The structure was built with "concrete"" if that information is available.

What's the difference between "a material" and "materials"?

"A material" refers to a single, specific substance, while "materials" refers to multiple substances or types of matter. For example, "This shirt is made of "a durable material"" versus "This construction project requires various building "materials"".