a rare material

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a rare material" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a substance or resource that is not commonly found or is in limited supply. Example: "The artist used a rare material to create her sculptures, making them truly unique."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

But parties on all sides looted gold, diamonds, timber or coltan, a rare material that goes into making cellphones, from Congo's soil.

The New York Times

The disclosure about the atomic trigger centered on a rare material — uranium deuteride, a form of the element made with deuterium, or heavy hydrogen.

The New York Times

Moreover, the high oxygen isotope ratio suggests that the impactor was principally made of a rare material called enstatite chondrite.

Science Magazine

However, ITO has low stability, high toxicity, and high cost and is a rare material, motivating efforts to develop alternatives[7].

Nanoscale Research Letters

In contrast, Hong-Qu (Rubrum Fermentum) is not a rare material but a commonly used food additive in China and many Asian countries.

Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

(Rosenberg) Last Chance ★ Leslie Lohman Museum of Gay and Lesbian Art: 'Paul Thek and His Circle in the 1950s' (closes on Sunday) A superb exhibition of rare material by an important artist.

The New York Times - Arts

He reacquainted audiences with a mixture of much rare material and his own originals when he founded the Chicago Jazz Ensemble in 1991.

The Guardian

The Tongans also carved small female figures in whale ivory; the earliest examples known are tiny, indicating a sparing use of rare material.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This is rare material for a sitcom.

The New Yorker

Mr. Oden, who is white, is a history buff and was drawn to the prospect of assembling a comprehensive collection of relatively rare material.

The New York Times - Arts

It too is filled with rare material, including a Ming Dynasty portrait, as well as jade and bronze Zhou Dynasty ornaments and vessels excavated in the late 1970s from his birthplace, Qufu.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a rare material", ensure the context clearly indicates why the material is considered rare. Specify factors like limited availability, difficult extraction, or unique properties.

Common error

Avoid using "a rare material" hyperbolically. Reserve the phrase for materials genuinely scarce or difficult to obtain; otherwise, opt for less emphatic terms like "uncommon" or "special".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a rare material" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where "rare" is an adjective modifying the noun "material". As confirmed by Ludwig, it describes a substance or resource that is not commonly found. It specifies and characterizes the nature of the material being discussed.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a rare material" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that describes a substance or resource that is not commonly found. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate for use across various contexts, particularly in scientific, news, and encyclopedia settings. The frequency of the expression is categorized as uncommon. When employing this phrase, it is crucial to ensure that the context clarifies the reasons behind the material's rarity, whether it be limited availability, challenging extraction, or unique properties. The related phrases provide alternative ways to express the same idea, with slight variations in emphasis. Ultimately, using "a rare material" effectively requires understanding its connotations and employing it accurately within the appropriate context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

scarce substance

Emphasizes the limited availability of the substance.

uncommon element

Specifically refers to chemical elements that are not frequently found.

limited resource

Highlights the finite nature of the material.

precious commodity

Implies high value and desirability due to its rarity.

infrequent item

Focuses on the low frequency of occurrence.

exceptional stuff

Highlights the unique nature of the material.

unique compound

Denotes a specific chemical formation that is seldom observed.

novel component

Emphasizes the new or unusual nature of a material within a system.

extraordinary medium

Refers to a material that is unusually good or special for a particular purpose.

seldom seen matter

Underscores the infrequency with which the material is encountered.

FAQs

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

You can use "a rare material" to describe something that is not commonly found or is in limited supply. For example, "The scientist discovered a new method to synthesize "a rare material" for advanced electronics."

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

You can use alternatives like "scarce substance", "uncommon element", or "limited resource" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a rarely material"?

No, the correct phrase is ""a rare material"". "Rarely" is an adverb and does not fit in this construction where an adjective is needed to describe the material.

What's the difference between "a rare material" and "a unique material"?

"A rare material" implies scarcity, while "a unique material" implies that the material has distinct properties not found elsewhere, but not necessarily scarce. A material can be both rare and unique, or just one of those.