an official material

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an official material" is not correct in standard English usage.
It should be "official materials" if referring to multiple items or "an official document" if referring to a single item. Example: "The company provided an official document outlining the new policies."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

REPORTER AT LARGE about Red China from sources gathered in Hong Kong by professional China watchers who, through interviews, through collecting, reading and analyzing all official material are able to gather valuable clues to the conditions in mainland China.

The New Yorker

With the release of the 3rd edition Dungeons & Dragons rules system in 2000 by Wizards of the Coast, the Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting was released as a hardcover, in 2001, updating the official material and advancing the timeline of the game world.

Wikipedia

Late Nights and Early Mornings is her debut solo album and first official material in six years.

The Guardian - Music

The less official material, kept by Tupman's family, adds to this record, giving more insight into these individuals and their view of their work and world.

The Guardian

The Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu has pushed for the passage of a controversial bill requiring non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to declare on promotional and official material if they receive most of their funds from foreign governments.

Independent

Another type of publishing house not usually in direct competition with ordinary firms is the state printing office, which is responsible in many countries for issuing public and official material.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Choi told South Korea's Segye Ilbo newspaper last week that she received drafts of Park's speeches after her election victory but denied she had access to other official material, or that she influenced state affairs or benefited financially.

The Guardian

Never mind too the fact that, despite the complete absence of references to the BBC and its otherwise ubiquitous logo on any of its advertising or official material, the TV licensing authority is in no way independent of the BBC – the nation's friendly "auntie" – having been a virtual body contracted exclusively to and funded directly by the organisation since 1991.

The Guardian - Opinion

Oddly, there is no mention of occupational health and safety insurance or medical insurance stated in the official materials of the party except for an abstract statement on medical insurance in its 2013 party platform (AfD 2013: 3).

Asian Journal of German and European Studies

The word is a formal canine label that appears on the competition's official materials.

The New York Times

The two offer exams and study guides that can augment or replace USAD's official materials.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Prefer using "official materials" when referring to multiple documents, or "official document" for a single item. Ensure your phrasing accurately reflects the intended meaning and grammatical correctness.

Common error

Avoid using "an official material" as it's grammatically incorrect. Instead, use "official materials" for multiple items or rephrase to use a more specific and accurate term like "official document".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an official material" is intended to function as a noun phrase, referring to some sort of official document or resource. However, as pointed out by Ludwig AI, the construction is grammatically incorrect. The correct form would typically be "official materials" (plural) or "an official document".

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "an official material" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI suggests that the phrase should be "official materials" if referring to multiple items, or "an official document" if referring to a single item. It is important to use the correct grammatical structure and to select more specific terms like "official report" or "official statement" depending on the context to ensure clarity and accuracy in writing. Due to the lack of examples and the grammatically questionable nature of the phrase, it is best to avoid using "an official material" in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

official document

Refers to a single, specific official paper or record.

official materials

Plural form, indicating multiple official documents or resources.

official record

Emphasizes the aspect of being a formal and documented account.

official publication

Highlights that the material is formally published or issued.

official statement

Focuses on a formal declaration or announcement.

official correspondence

Implies formal letters or communication.

official briefing

A formal informative session.

official data

Highlights the aspect of being verified and approved information.

official report

Emphasizes a formal written account of something.

official resource

Focuses on official and authorized resources.

FAQs

What's wrong with the phrase "an official material"?

The phrase "an official material" is grammatically incorrect. "Material" in this context is usually a mass noun (uncountable), so it doesn't take the indefinite article "an". You should use "official materials" for the plural or rephrase using a countable noun.

What can I say instead of "an official material"?

You can use alternatives like "official document" (if referring to one specific item), "official materials" (for multiple items), or other specific terms like "official report" or "official statement" depending on the context.

Is "official material" correct?

Yes, "official material" without the article "an" is grammatically better, but it might still sound awkward. It's better to specify the type of material, such as "official documents" or "official publications".

How do I use "official materials" in a sentence?

You can use "official materials" in sentences like: "The training program provides access to all the necessary official materials." or "Please review the official materials before the meeting."