a material advantage

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a material advantage" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to describe a significant or tangible benefit in a situation, often in business or legal discussions. Example: "The new policy provides a material advantage to our company in the competitive market."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Mr. Santorum would also have a material advantage in the overall popular vote.

The New York Times

Their superior weapons and more complex social organization gave them a material advantage, but they also were inspired by the idea that they were regaining lands that had once been part of the Christian state.

Britannica

"Historically, Brazilians felt a lot of social pressure to choose a lighter category of skin color (on the census questionnaires) because it was more highly valued, and it appeared to have a material advantage," Nobles says.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The definition to apply is "An Attitude of Impartiality". The neutral is not indifferent to the conflict, but treats parties in conflict in a way that does not create a material advantage for one over the other.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

After 15 Nc4, Karpov did not play 15... O-O? because 16 Qgh Kh8 19 Qh5 Kg8 18 Bh6! gh 19 Qh6 f5 20 Qe6 Kg7 21 Ng3 Nf4 22 Nf5 Rf5 23 Qf5 Nd3 24 Qd3 is strong for Gelfand, who has a material advantage and a strong attack on the enemy king.

The New York Times

These practices, which Stern also ran through funds offered by Bank One, Janus Capital and Strong Capital Management, bilks other investors in funds by strapping them with additional trading fees that hurt total return and illegally gives certain investors a material advantage.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Focusing on any material advantage he may enjoy missed a larger point, said Bardach, author of Without Fidel: a death foretold in Miami, Havana and Washington.

The Guardian

Instead, Tal crashed through with a temporary queen sacrifice that led to an endgame in which he had a significant material advantage and Smyslov resigned after 26 moves — one of the shortest losses of his career.

The New York Times

If 18 Be4 19 fe, Black has a slight material advantage, but the positional superiority of the bishop pair and a strong pawn center outweigh that.

The New York Times

In Israel, having J-positive blood is a serious material advantage.

The New Yorker

His decision to play 12 dc5 gave him a temporary material advantage, but it left his central pawns as easy targets; 12 Rb1 might have been better.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a competitive situation, use "a material advantage" to highlight a tangible asset or benefit that one party possesses over another. Be specific about what constitutes the advantage.

Common error

Avoid using "a material advantage" when the benefit is minor or intangible. Reserve this phrase for situations where the advantage genuinely has a significant impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a material advantage" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as the object of a verb or the complement of a preposition. It describes a tangible or concrete benefit that provides an edge or superior position. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a material advantage" is a noun phrase used to describe a tangible benefit or asset that provides a superior position. Ludwig AI indicates its grammatical correctness and versatility, it is used across various contexts, including news, academia, and encyclopedias. While the phrase is not very common, it is appropriate for formal and neutral registers. Related phrases include "a tangible benefit" and "a significant gain", each providing a slightly different nuance. When using "a material advantage", it's crucial to ensure that the advantage is indeed substantial and quantifiable, avoiding overstatement of its significance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a tangible benefit

Replaces "material" with "tangible", emphasizing the concrete and perceptible nature of the advantage.

a significant gain

Focuses on the aspect of gaining something important, changing "advantage" to "gain".

a substantial edge

Substitutes "material advantage" with "substantial edge", highlighting the competitive aspect.

a key asset

Emphasizes that the advantage is a valuable resource or asset.

a distinct upper hand

Replaces "material advantage" with "distinct upper hand", suggesting a clear position of control.

a considerable leverage

Highlights the aspect of using the advantage to exert influence or gain better outcomes.

a worthwhile asset

Modifies "material advantage" to emphasize the value and usefulness of the asset.

a decisive advantage

Highlights how the advantage may result in an clear outcome.

a strategic strength

Emphasizes the importance of that advantage for some high level planning.

a competitive edge

Highlights how the advantage can give the edge to overcome competitors.

FAQs

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

You can use "a material advantage" to describe a concrete benefit, as in: "Their superior weapons gave them "a material advantage" in the conflict".

What phrases are similar to "a material advantage"?

Alternatives to "a material advantage" include "a tangible benefit", "a significant gain", or "a substantial edge", depending on the context.

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

Yes, "a material advantage" is appropriate for formal writing, as it is used in academic, news, and business contexts. Its formality is considered neutral.

What kind of advantage does "a material advantage" refer to?

"A material advantage" typically refers to a tangible or concrete benefit, such as better resources, superior technology, or a strategic location, that provides an edge over others.