a working material

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a working material" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a material that is actively being used or is functional in a specific context, such as in a project or task. Example: "The team has prepared a working material that outlines the project's objectives and timelines."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Heat pumps use a working material that operates either in gas or liquid form.

International Journal of Energy and Environmental Engineering

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"He saw it not just as a collection of his working materials, but as also a record of the time he lived in".

The New York Times - Books

Almost all the paintings have a densely worked material beauty.

The New York Times - Arts

The model allows virtual cutting of a work material with the numerical model of the spindle during the design stage.

International Journal of Machine Tools and Manufacture

The results showed that DLC coated tools can be used to reduce adhesion between a tool and a work material, and the formation of a built-up edge.

Surface and Coatings Technology

A work material allowing very high cutting speeds is considered to possess high machinability characteristic.

Journal of Industrial Engineering International

Consists mainly of drafts of and working materials for a genealogical history.

Stanford University

The memorial sculpture was prescribed in form and was made in wood or from the trunks of tree fern, an easily worked material resembling compacted pine needles.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Although literary works on architecture existed beforehand, architectural writing blossomed during the Song dynasty, maturing into a more professional form that described dimensions and working materials in a concise, organized manner.

Wikipedia

As a dense, inexpensive, easily worked material, zinc is used as a lead replacement.

Wikipedia

Professors found a variety of ways to work material about the university's finances into their classes.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing technical processes, use "a working material" to specifically identify a substance that is actively involved in achieving a particular outcome. This clarifies its function within the system or experiment.

Common error

Avoid using "a working material" in general or creative writing where simpler terms like "material", "element", or "substance" would suffice. Overusing technical terms can make your writing sound stilted and unnatural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a working material" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies a specific substance that is actively involved in a process or application, as exemplified in the Ludwig example about heat pumps.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a working material" is a noun phrase used to describe a substance actively involved in a process, predominantly in formal and scientific contexts. While grammatically correct, its occurrence is relatively rare. Ludwig AI analysis indicates that the phrase is most frequently found in scientific and news sources. When aiming for clarity and precision in technical writing, consider this term, but be mindful of its potential for sounding overly technical in more general contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a functional substance

Emphasizes the substance's ability to perform a specific task or function.

an operative component

Highlights the role of the material as an active and necessary part of a larger system.

a processing element

Focuses on the material's use in a transformation or treatment process.

a utilized resource

Stresses the practical application and consumption of the material.

a manipulated substance

Indicates that the material is being actively changed or controlled.

a reactive agent

Highlights the material's capacity to interact with other substances and cause reactions.

an employed medium

Focuses on the material's function as a carrier or means of expression.

a treated substrate

Emphasizes that the material has undergone some form of processing or modification.

an adapted constituent

Suggests the material has been modified or customized for a particular use.

a fashioned component

Highlights the material's role after being crafted or formed into a specific part.

FAQs

How can "a working material" be used in a sentence?

You can use "a working material" to describe a substance that is being actively used or is functional in a specific context. For instance, "The engineer selected a durable plastic as "a working material" for the prototype".

What are some alternatives to using "a working material"?

Depending on the context, alternatives could include "functional substance", "operative component", or "utilized resource".

When is it appropriate to use the term "a working material"?

It's most appropriate in technical, scientific, or engineering contexts where you need to specify a material's active role in a process or system.

Is "a working material" the same as "raw material"?

No, "raw material" refers to the basic input before processing, while "a working material" implies the substance is currently undergoing or facilitating a specific action or process.