a scrap of material

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a scrap of material" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase when referring to a small piece or remnant of fabric, cloth, or other material. It is often used to describe a small, insignificant amount of material. Example: "She gathered a scrap of material from the sewing room to patch the hole in her jeans."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

I made little petals, inspired by A Alicia's beautiful corsages: cut out between five and seven petal shapes from a scrap of material.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

They contained their share of immortal recordings – Zee Zee from 1971, There Comes a Time from 1974, the 1978 Festival Hall version of Variation on the Misery – often based on no more than a scrap of material coaxed into shimmering, multifaceted life.

The Guardian - Music

Buttons with a shank or plastic cover buttons (The Fabric Shop in Whitstable suggested using plastic ones because metals ones can rust if a piece of clothing takes a long time to dry) A scrap of material big enough to cover the buttons Needle Thread Item of clothing that has a button missing or needs them replaced Pen Fabric scissors 1.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

They contained their share of immortal recordings – Zee Zee from 1971, There Comes a Time from 1974, the 1978 Festival Hall version of Variation on the Misery – often based on no more than a scrap of material coaxed into shimmering, multifaceted life.

The Guardian - Music

From a scrap of material, essentially a tube sock with the toes cut off, she created a squirrel sweater.

HuffPost

Ms. Musah has no choice but to spread a scrap of material on the floor, squat beside the mother, and receive the baby in a cloth in her hands.

Unicef

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Dr. Thomas R. Frieden, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, called the organisms "nightmare bacteria" during a telephone news conference, and noted that they could pass their trait for drug resistance — encoded in a scrap of genetic material called a plasmid — along to other bacteria.

The New York Times - Health

Known for her research in prions-clumps of misshapen proteins responsible for, among other conditions, mad cow disease-the former University of Chicago professor helped flip conventional biology on its head by demonstrating how prions spread disease without a scrap of genetic material.

MIT Technology Review

Of course, nations struggling to create a new identity or character are not the only ones where a hummable tune or a colorful scrap of material are endowed with such power.

The New York Times - Arts

Sew with your machine using a scrap piece of material.

WikiHow

Begin by looking at the stitch by sewing a line on a scrap piece of material.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing artistic or crafty projects, use "a scrap of material" to indicate resourceful use of leftover fabrics.

Common error

Don't use "a scrap of material" when a more specific term like "patch", "remnant", or "clipping" would better convey the shape and purpose of the material.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a scrap of material" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. Ludwig AI shows it's often used to describe small, leftover pieces of fabric or other materials.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Formal & Business

17%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a scrap of material" is a grammatically sound and acceptably common way to describe a small, often leftover piece of fabric or similar material. As highlighted by Ludwig, its usage spans various contexts, with a leaning towards news, media, formal and business, and wiki sources. While generally neutral, opting for more precise terms like "fabric remnant" may be preferable in formal settings. The frequency is uncommon, with 6 exact examples. Alternatives include "a remnant of cloth" or "a small piece of material". Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and offers valuable context for usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a fragment of fabric

Replaces "scrap" with "fragment" and "material" with "fabric", focusing specifically on cloth.

a remnant of cloth

Uses "remnant" instead of "scrap", suggesting a leftover piece of fabric.

a small piece of material

Replaces "scrap" with the more descriptive "small piece".

a bit of fabric

Uses "bit" instead of "scrap" and "fabric" instead of "material".

a swatch of fabric

Employs "swatch", implying a sample piece of cloth.

a clipping of material

Substitutes "scrap" with "clipping", indicating a cut-off piece.

a shred of material

Employs "shred", suggesting a torn or ripped piece.

a patch of material

Replaces "scrap" with "patch", which can refer to a small piece of material used for repairs.

a sample of fabric

Uses "sample" instead of "scrap", implying a piece for testing or display.

a cutting of material

Replaces "scrap" with "cutting", specifically indicating a piece cut from a larger whole.

FAQs

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

You can use "a scrap of material" to describe a small, often leftover, piece of fabric or cloth. For example, "She used "a scrap of material" to patch the hole in her jeans".

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

Alternatives include "a remnant of cloth", "a small piece of material", or "a bit of fabric" depending on the context.

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

While grammatically correct, "a scrap of material" might be considered informal. In formal writing, consider using more precise terms like "fabric remnant" or "small piece of textile".

What's the difference between "a scrap of material" and "a piece of cloth"?

"A piece of cloth" is a general term, while ""a scrap of material"" implies a small, often leftover or discarded piece. The former is neutral; the latter suggests insignificance or re-use.