any sort of material

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "any sort of material" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to various types or categories of materials in a general sense. Example: "The artist is open to using any sort of material for her sculptures, from metal to recycled paper."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

This free-wheeling employment of any sort of material rivals the fertile adaptations of "found objects" in 20th-century sophisticated art as many other modern "innovations" have a long-standing precedent in the spontaneous art of the folk.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But long before any sort of material disappeared into a black hole, theorists have surmised, it would be accelerated to near-light speeds by the hole's gravitational field and heated to millions of degrees as it swirled in a dense doughnut around the gates of doom, sparking X-rays and shock waves and squeezing jets of energy and particles across space.

The New York Times - Science

Do not attempt to break any sort of material until you are at least eighteen years old.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Likewise, the shells may consist of any sort of materials including organic ones.

Nanoscale Research Letters

But that might alter when biotechnology delivers new enzymes that can make ethanol efficiently from just about any sort of plant material.

The Economist

We've discussed this at length, but now there's another development you should be aware of: the use of deep packet inspection to monitor every single packet of data you send, making sure that you're not accessing any sort of illicit material, here, child pornography.

TechCrunch

While Frank Ocean fans are still waiting for his second album, Boys Don't Cry, Scottish producer Hudson Mohawke has offered a microscopic glint of hope to those wanting to hear any sort of new material from the reclusive artist.

Vice

One great way to prevent infection in an ingrown toe is simply to keep any sort of infectious material out of the wound entirely.

WikiHow

If you need red eyes right away, don't worry — you can get them without any sort of special materials at all.

WikiHow

Since frequent blinking is the body's way of keeping the eyeballs well-lubricated, without this, the eyeballs will begin to dry out., don't worry — you can get them without any sort of special materials at all.

WikiHow

Make sure the furniture doesn't have protective "foot pads" or any other sort of material on the bottom that might make it easy to slide across the floor.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "any sort of material" when you want to indicate that a wide range of materials are acceptable or applicable without needing to specify them individually.

Common error

Avoid using overly formal or technical alternatives like "any species of material" in general conversation, as it may sound unnatural. Stick to common alternatives like "any kind of material".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "any sort of material" functions as a determiner phrase followed by a noun, modifying a noun or noun phrase. As Ludwig AI confirms, it indicates that any material, regardless of its specific type, is being considered or is applicable. This phrase often precedes a noun, providing a broad scope.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

25%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "any sort of material" is a versatile phrase used to indicate a broad range of materials without specifying particular types. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's grammatically correct and widely accepted. The phrase appears across various contexts, from news and media to scientific articles, maintaining a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal settings. When aiming for slight variations, consider alternatives such as ""any kind of material"" or ""any type of material"", keeping in mind the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

any type of material

Replaces "sort" with "type", offering a slightly more formal tone but maintaining the same general meaning.

any kind of material

Substitutes "sort" with "kind", providing a common and interchangeable alternative.

any form of material

Changes "sort" to "form", emphasizing the physical state or presentation of the material.

any variety of material

Uses "variety" instead of "sort", highlighting the diversity of materials considered.

any class of material

Replaces "sort" with "class", offering a more scientific or taxonomic nuance.

any category of material

Substitutes "sort" with "category", focusing on the classification or grouping of materials.

all types of material

Broadens the scope to include all conceivable materials without exception.

all kinds of material

Similar to 'all types', emphasizes the comprehensive inclusion of every kind of material.

any substance

Simplifies the phrase to its core element, referring to any physical matter.

any medium

Focuses on material used for artistic or communicative expression.

FAQs

How can I use "any sort of material" in a sentence?

You can use "any sort of material" to indicate that the specific type of material is not important or that a variety of materials are acceptable. For example: "The artist is willing to experiment with "any sort of material"."

What's a good alternative to "any sort of material"?

Alternatives include "any kind of material", "any type of material", or "any form of material", depending on the context.

Is it more formal to say "any sort of material" or "any type of material"?

Any type of material is generally considered slightly more formal than "any sort of material". However, both are widely acceptable in most contexts.

What is the difference between "any sort of material" and "all sorts of material"?

"Any sort of material" implies that you are open to using or considering various kinds of materials, while "all sorts of material" emphasizes a wide and diverse range of materials. The first is about acceptance; the second about variety.