bad material

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bad material" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe items, resources, or content that are of poor quality or unsuitable for a particular purpose. Example: "The report was filled with bad material, making it difficult to trust the findings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

"Patent is always perceived as a bad material.

The New York Times

Even with bad material, these are all very talented actors.

The Guardian - Film

"The problem is bad housekeeping and bad material," a consultant, R. J. Grogan, said.

The New York Times

Without a good script, the best actors in the world have struggled against bad material to make a good movie".

The New York Times

Better for someone to brazen through an hour of bad material than stutter through something potentially wonderful.

The Guardian

It uses similar methods to those employed to manufacture processors and other types of integrated circuits.Conveniently, silicon is not a bad material for making optical devices.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

"It's not about finding the magic material that'll replace all bad materials," he said.

The New York Times

Will it perish with the physical decay of so much modernist art, whose bad materials and rotten techniques are already presenting the most nightmarish excess of curatorial problems since the cave paintings of Lascaux?

The Guardian - Arts

It is a fantastically unconvincing and unfunny movie, apparently determined to salvage a feel-good flavour from feel-bad material, as if the drama could be turned into a Richard Curtis comedy just by adding perkiness and hugs.

The Guardian - Film

"It doesn't fail," Dr. Heuer said, "and that's not a bad definition of a tough material".

The New York Times - Science

This is bad teaching material.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the quality of a product or artistic work, use "bad material" to succinctly convey that the underlying components or source are of poor quality and negatively impact the final result.

Common error

In formal or technical writing, consider using more precise terms like "substandard", "defective", or "non-compliant" to clearly specify the nature of the issue with the material.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bad material" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "bad" modifies the noun "material". Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is correct and usable. The phrase typically serves to identify something as being of low quality or unsuitable for a particular purpose.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

29%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "bad material" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe items, resources, or content of poor quality or unsuitability. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its usability across various contexts, although more formal settings might benefit from using more precise terms. Its frequent occurrence in news, media, and scientific sources highlights its widespread application. While the phrase is versatile, remember to consider the register and context to ensure the most appropriate and impactful language choice. The sources Ludwig found are consistent in their application of the expression across various domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

poor quality material

Focuses on the quality aspect of the material, implying it's not up to standard.

substandard material

Highlights that the material falls below an acceptable level or norm.

inferior material

Emphasizes the material's lower rank or grade compared to others.

defective material

Indicates the material has flaws or imperfections affecting its functionality.

faulty material

Similar to defective, stressing that the material contains errors or faults.

unsuitable material

Suggests the material is not appropriate for a specific purpose or application.

inadequate material

Highlights the material's insufficiency or lack of the necessary qualities.

rotten material

Emphasizes the state of decay or corruption of the material, implying uselessness.

useless material

States directly that the material has no value or purpose.

waste material

Indicates the material is discarded or unwanted, often implying it's unusable.

FAQs

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

You can use "bad material" to describe something of poor quality. For example: "The movie suffered from "bad material" despite having talented actors."

What are some alternatives to "bad material"?

Alternatives include "poor quality material", "substandard material", or "inferior material", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "bad material" in formal writing?

While understandable, "bad material" might be too informal for certain professional or academic contexts. Consider more precise alternatives like "defective material" or "unsuitable material".

How does "bad material" differ from "poor material"?

"Bad material" and "poor material" are largely interchangeable. However, "bad" can sometimes imply a moral judgment or harmfulness, while "poor" usually refers to quality or condition.