a small material

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a small material" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a minor quantity or piece of a substance or item, often in contexts related to manufacturing, crafting, or scientific discussions. Example: "For this project, we will need a small material to create the prototype."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

With 24 ba! Rf2 25 Kf2 Ba6 26 Ra6 he would have had a small material superiority and the better of the game.

The New York Times

Regarding the thin metal plates shear process, it can be found that in the cutting final stage, the cut material weight is suspended by a small material section still requiring to be cut.

Robotics and Computer-Integrated Manufacturing

The microsupport effect at sharp notches subjected to high-cycle fatigue can be described according to Neuber by averaging the maximum notch stress in a small material volume (microsupport length ρ*) at the notch root (radius ρ).

International Journal of Fatigue

The line crack-like damage generated within a small material volume may change the material behavior of the material volume from initially isotropic to effectively orthotropic, depending on damage orientation.

International Journal of Solids and Structures

Based on a theory of continuum damage mechanics, a small material volume containing a directional damage is represented by the effective orthotropic elastic stiffness, which is dependent of the size and the orientation of the damage with respect to the global coordinates.

International Journal of Solids and Structures

The product is a small material handling machine I will call an SF100.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Admission is free, but a small materials fee will be charged.

The New York Times - Arts

For Energy Conversion Devices, a small materials firm in Rochester Hills, Mich., 2003 is a year with a remarkably familiar ring to it.

Forbes

NIST also has a small Materials Science and Engineering Grants program that supports work in polymers, ceramics, metallurgy, and neutron scattering and spectroscopy research at universities and other non-federal institutions.

Science Magazine

As comprehensive breakdown of CL treatment-associated costs in Brazil was not found, our model remained conservative, only including drug costs, cost of hospital stay, and a small materials cost.

American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

Occasionally there will be a small materials fee.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a small material" in technical writing, be specific about the material's properties and its role in the process or system being described. This adds clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Don't use "a small material" as a placeholder. Always specify what the material is, even if its exact composition is unknown. For example, say "a small sample of unknown polymer" instead of just "a small material".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a small material" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where 'small' modifies 'material'. Ludwig AI indicates it is grammatically correct and is used to describe a limited quantity of a substance or item. Examples show its use in scientific and manufacturing contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a small material" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to denote a limited quantity of a substance. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is best used when emphasizing the quantity or size of the material. It is most frequently found in scientific and news contexts but maintains a neutral register, making it suitable for diverse audiences. While seemingly straightforward, it's crucial to provide context regarding the material's properties to avoid vagueness. Common alternatives include "a tiny piece" and "a little substance", offering subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a tiny quantity of substance

Replaces 'small' with 'tiny' and 'material' with a more descriptive phrase, emphasizing the minute amount.

a limited amount of matter

Substitutes 'small' with 'limited' and 'material' with 'matter', highlighting the restricted quantity of the physical substance.

a trace element

Offers a more specific term used in scientific contexts to refer to a very small quantity of a particular substance.

a fractional component

Replaces 'small material' with a phrase indicating a small part of a larger whole.

a minute volume of substance

Replaces 'small' with 'minute' and 'material' with 'substance', focusing on the extremely small quantity and its nature.

a negligible quantity of stuff

Uses 'negligible' instead of 'small' and 'stuff' for 'material', implying the amount is so small it can be ignored.

a scant measure of resource

Substitutes 'small' with 'scant' and 'material' with 'resource', emphasizing the insufficient amount of the substance.

a little bit of substance

Replaces "a small material" with a more informal expression indicating a minimal quantity of some substance.

a touch of matter

Substitutes "a small material" with a phrase indicating that the material is being added or mixed in very small quantity.

a particle of something

Substitutes "a small material" with a phrase indicating an extremely small piece of something

FAQs

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

You can use "a small material" to refer to a limited quantity of a substance. For example, "We only need a small material to conduct the experiment."

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

You can use alternatives like "a tiny piece", "a little substance", or "a fractional component" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "a small material"?

It's appropriate when referring to a limited quantity of a substance in contexts such as scientific research, crafting, or manufacturing where the amount is relevant.

Is "a small material" formal or informal language?

The phrase "a small material" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more precise language may be preferred in highly technical or scientific writing.