a vital material

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a vital material" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a substance or resource that is essential or crucial for a particular purpose or process. Example: "Water is a vital material for sustaining life on Earth."

✓ Grammatically correct

Materials Science

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

This study extends the understanding of the role of solution viscosity as a vital material parameter for electrospinning of fibers.

Materials Science and Engineering: C

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

As this is usually carried out at the end of the first trimester, this could be an ideal source of vital material.

Expert Review of Molecular Diagnostics

"Assistant district attorneys do not emerge from law school with a genetic disposition" to hide vital material, he wrote.

The New York Times

The upside for Russia would have been that China was becoming dependent on it for a vital raw material.

The Economist

Data is a vital raw material of the information economy, much as coal and iron ore were in the Industrial Revolution.

The New York Times - Tech

The most practical way to make artificial rubber involved combining styrene with butadiene; the need for artificial rubber lifted styrene to the status of a vital war material.

The New Yorker

It makes sense to produce it in vast plants close both to limestone quarries, which provide a vital raw material, and to customers.

The Economist

They empty their loads into neat rows of white, yellow and grey mounds where the country stockpiles a vital raw material: sand.

The Economist

If the oil price falls further, Apple will surely outstrip it.Oil remains a vital raw material, and Exxon can extract it from difficult places more efficiently than any other firm.

The Economist

Asbestos to insulate the ships was deemed a vital war material, and naval officials tightly controlled the mineral's distribution, ordering it delivered to government specifications, using powers of requisition to direct its purchase from private companies, and stockpiling the results at the government's General Services Administration facility at Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

The Economist

The survey specifically finds that: –Domestic chemical supplies are a vital raw material to most manufacturers in the U.S. Overall, 55% have significant, direct dependence on chemicals for their production.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the importance of a material, consider specifying why it is vital. For instance, instead of just saying "X is a vital material", elaborate with "X is a vital material for Y process due to Z property".

Common error

Avoid using "a vital material" as a generic descriptor. Always ensure that the context clearly supports the claim of importance. If a material's significance is not immediately obvious, provide specific details or evidence to justify its designation as 'vital'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a vital material" functions as a descriptive noun phrase, where 'vital' acts as an adjective modifying 'material'. Ludwig indicates its correct usage in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a vital material" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase to describe a substance or resource that is essential or crucial. Ludwig confirms its validity, while its frequency of use is uncommon. It appears most often in scientific, news, and formal business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the context supports its vital nature and provide specific justifications. Consider alternatives like "an essential resource" or "a crucial component" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an essential resource

Emphasizes the resource aspect, highlighting its necessity.

a crucial component

Focuses on the role of the material as part of a larger system.

an indispensable element

Highlights the irreplaceability of the material.

a key ingredient

Similar to crucial component, but suitable for mixtures and recipes.

a fundamental building block

Stresses the role in constructing something larger.

a critical substance

Highlights that the substance is decisive or important.

a necessary raw material

Highlights the need of the material for production.

a principal constituent

The material is the main component.

a significant factor

Emphasizes the importance of the material in a process or outcome.

a primary resource

Stresses the origin and importance of the material as a resource.

FAQs

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

You can use "a vital material" to describe something essential for a process or structure. For instance, "Water is "a vital material" for sustaining life."

What's the difference between "a vital material" and "an essential resource"?

"A vital material" emphasizes the material's importance in a specific application or process, while "an essential resource" highlights its fundamental necessity and availability.

What are some alternatives to "a vital material"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "a crucial component", "an essential resource", or "an indispensable element".

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

Yes, ""a vital material"" is appropriate for formal writing, especially in scientific, technical, or business contexts where the importance of specific materials needs to be emphasized.