at the material

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at the material" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to refer to something related to materials, but without additional context, it is unclear when it could be used. Example: "The findings were discussed at the material level, focusing on the properties of the substances involved."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

I'd tried writing about it, privately, but had trouble getting "at" the material.

The Guardian - Books

"At the material level, Canada fulfilled all our expectations.

The Guardian - Books

The 1969 adaptation of Goodbye Columbus remains a decent, dogged pass at the material.

The Guardian - Film

Led by Mr. Marshall, the cast goes at the material with uninhibited zest.

The New York Times

You could have waited for the regulators to look at the material and the cells".

The Guardian

Mr. Connell uses his cast well, and the actors go at the material briskly.

The New York Times

But most look at the material I leave," says Jennifer Parsons, another parent educator.

The Economist

The education department said any employees who had already looked at the material should contact their internet technology department.

The Guardian

It sometimes seems that the closer and harder one looks at the material world, the fewer answers it provides.

The New York Times - Arts

We'll look at the material and explore how best to use the research in the creation of fiction.

The Guardian

"Associated with this was a fear, expressed with no clear foundation, that Australian officials engaged in maritime boundary negotiations would look at the material," Gleeson said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to documents or information, use phrases like "reviewing the material" or "examining the data" for clarity.

Common error

The preposition "at" can be vague. Instead of saying "look at the material", specify the action, such as "examine the material" or "analyze the material" to improve the clarity of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at the material" functions as a prepositional phrase, often acting as an adverbial modifier. However, as Ludwig AI points out, it lacks precision and clarity, often requiring a stronger verb or preposition to convey its intended meaning effectively. For example, "look at the material" is more clear with "examine".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

36%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "at the material" appears frequently across various sources, it's important to recognize that it is not always grammatically sound and may lack clarity. Ludwig AI analysis suggests that the phrase functions as a prepositional modifier. While used in contexts ranging from news to science, more specific alternatives like "regarding the material" or "concerning the material" often provide better precision. When writing, consider replacing "at the material" with more descriptive phrases to enhance clarity and grammatical correctness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

regarding the material

Replaces "at" with "regarding" offering a more direct and grammatically conventional alternative.

concerning the material

Similar to "regarding", "concerning" provides a more formal alternative.

with respect to the material

Adds a degree of formality and precision, suitable for technical or academic contexts.

in relation to the material

Emphasizes the connection or relationship to the material under consideration.

in terms of the material

Focuses on specific aspects or characteristics of the material.

pertaining to the material

A more formal way of saying 'related to' or 'concerning'.

when considering the material

Highlights the act of evaluating or thinking about the material.

upon reviewing the material

Implies a more thorough examination of the material.

analyzing the material

Focuses on a detailed examination to understand its properties or behavior.

examining the material

Suggests a close inspection to gain information.

FAQs

What does "at the material" mean?

The phrase "at the material" is often used to indicate interaction with or consideration of some kind of material, whether physical or informational. However, it's often more precise to use alternative phrases that specify the type of interaction.

What can I say instead of "at the material"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "regarding the material", "concerning the material", or "in relation to the material".

Is "at the material" grammatically correct?

While frequently used, "at the material" is not always considered grammatically correct in formal writing. It is often better to use a more precise preposition or verb to describe the action being taken with respect to the material.

How can I improve the clarity of my writing when using "at the material"?

Replace "at the material" with a more specific verb or phrase that clarifies the action or relationship. For example, instead of "look at the material", try "examine the material", "analyze the material", or "review the material".