a quantity of material

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a quantity of material" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to an unspecified amount of a substance or resource, often in contexts like science, construction, or manufacturing. Example: "The engineer calculated a quantity of material needed for the project to ensure everything was in order."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

They seized what they called "a quantity of material and items of equipment" at a residence in Wood Green, north London.

The New York Times

However, taking such a quantity of material would also prove a significant activity on its own: Manager 1: "Two guys from [the new biobank] came over; stayed for a week, went through the records, picked out the samples that they were interested in, and then went over to [the storage facility] and pulled blocks and couriered them all back to [the new biobank].

Life Sciences, Society and Policy

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The total weight of materials used was about 2,500 tons: such a quantity of materials would have required about 200 freight cars if transported by railway.

Wikipedia

"Such a quantity of explosive material that was carried in or brought in — that's not so easy to do," Mr. Medvedev said.

The New York Times

In return for a quantity of the material, contributors are offered credits for a range of basic products.

BBC

One hundred grams may be much more than the participant is accustomed to collecting, and sometimes the consumer may not be willing or able to prepare such a quantity of the material.

Plosone

It means that clinicians can now carry on their person a quantity of reference material that would previously have been inconceivable in hard-copy format.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

After obtaining initial concentration data, the U-238/U-235 isotope ratio was obtained in a separate determination where an acid dissolution of a larger quantity of material was passed onto an ion exchange column to separate and concentrate Uranium from the matrix.

Conflict and Health

The idea of a circular economy, in which a fixed quantity of material is repeatedly recycled, is a compelling one.

Handbook of Recycling State-of-the-art for Practitioners, Analysts, and Scientists

On the other hand, the module suffers in its attempt to cover a large quantity of material in a similar manner.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

While search engines such as Google allow one to quickly find a large quantity of material on a given subject, the quality of what one finds is not readily apparent.

CBE Life Sciences Education

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a quantity of material", be specific about the type of material if relevant to your context. Providing context helps readers understand the significance of the quantity mentioned.

Common error

Avoid using "a quantity of material" without any indication of whether the amount is large, small, or significant. Without further context, the phrase can be too vague to be meaningful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a quantity of material" functions as a noun phrase. It typically acts as the subject or object of a sentence, denoting an unspecified amount of a substance or resource. Ludwig showcases its use across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

30%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

12%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a quantity of material" is a versatile noun phrase used to refer to an unspecified amount of a substance. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct and widely used across various domains, particularly in science and news media. While it's a common phrase, it's essential to provide context to avoid vagueness. Consider using more specific measurements when possible. Alternatives like "a certain amount of material" or "a significant amount of material" can add precision or emphasis depending on the context. Being aware of these nuances ensures clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a certain amount of material

This alternative implies a specific, though perhaps unquantified, amount is needed or present.

a significant amount of material

This emphasizes the importance or impact of the quantity.

a substantial quantity of material

This suggests a considerable or noteworthy amount.

an appreciable amount of material

This indicates a quantity large enough to be noticed or considered.

a portion of material

This suggests a part or share of a larger whole.

a volume of material

This specifies the three-dimensional space occupied by the material.

a measure of material

This implies that the quantity has been determined by measurement.

a consignment of material

This term is often used in shipping and logistics, suggesting a batch of goods transported together.

a stock of material

This implies that the quantity is stored and available for use.

a supply of material

This suggests the quantity is available for ongoing use or consumption.

FAQs

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

You can use "a quantity of material" to refer to an unspecified amount of something. For instance, "The lab required "a quantity of material" for the experiment" or "The construction project used "a large quantity of material"."

What's the difference between "a quantity of material" and "an amount of material"?

While both phrases are similar, "quantity" often refers to something that can be counted or measured precisely, while "amount" is more general. You might use "a quantity of material" when precision is important, and "an amount of material" when it's not.

Are there more formal alternatives to "a quantity of material"?

Yes, depending on the context, you could use "a substantial amount of material" or "a significant quantity of material" in more formal settings. These alternatives emphasize the importance or size of the quantity.

When should I avoid using the phrase "a quantity of material"?

Avoid using "a quantity of material" when you can provide a more specific measurement (e.g., "500 grams of material"). Being precise improves clarity. Also, if the exact quantity is irrelevant, consider using simpler terms like "some material".