basic material needs

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "basic material needs" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to refer to the essential material possessions or needs required for an adequate standard of living, such as food, shelter, and clothing. For example, "Many people are struggling to meet their basic material needs during the pandemic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

Meeting basic material needs on a mass scale seemed much more compelling, and so did the idea of a whole new kind of society that transcended petty individualism.

The New Yorker

With proper awareness of the uses and limits of empathy, we can appreciate the need for social policies meant to help people meet their basic material needs.

University of California, Berkeley

The ways in which our basic material needs have, over the span of evolution, given rise to our basic non-material desires and in turn created a non-material invariant of hope is the root of all faith in the future and it is one which I will continue to maintain.

The Guardian - Opinion

A good and just society is one in which the fruits of labor are shared by labor and the basic material needs of life are socially guaranteed and it is one in which the freedom to think and speak and publish and organize is politically guaranteed.

The New Yorker

However, Palmer, who chairs the Upstart Scotland campaign to introduce kindergarten-style education for under-sevens, said: "Apart from basic material needs, like food and shelter, there are two essential ingredients if children are to survive and thrive whatever the future brings: love and play.

The Guardian

We have managed to satisfy people's basic material needs… but we're unhappy, we're squabbling, we're looking for meaning.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

2, we present some basic materials needed to prove our main results.

Advances in Difference Equations

As such, a comprehensive laboratory evaluation of concrete coatings would be needed to establish basic material characteristics needed for long-lasting beam end-coating.

International Journal of Concrete Structures and Materials

This tutorial paper collects together in one place the basic background material needed to do GP modeling.

Stanford University

"In the past five years, rising numbers of children and their families have experienced difficulty in satisfying their most basic material and educational needs," says the report.

The Guardian

The study also examined related outcomes including household food security and children's access to basic educational and material needs.

Children and Youth Services Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing social policies, use "basic material needs" to emphasize the importance of providing essentials like food and shelter to ensure a decent standard of living for all citizens. For example: social policies should ensure everyone can access their "basic material needs".

Common error

Avoid equating "basic material needs" solely with accumulating possessions. The phrase primarily refers to necessities that ensure well-being, not luxury items or excessive wealth. For example: Focus on essential items over accumulating possessions when thinking of "basic material needs".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "basic material needs" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the object of a verb or the complement of a preposition. It identifies essential tangible requirements for human survival and well-being. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

32%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "basic material needs" accurately describes the fundamental tangible requirements for human survival and well-being, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. It functions as a noun phrase across various formal and professional contexts, notably in science, news media, and formal business discussions. The phrase is commonly used to emphasize essential resources like food, shelter, and clothing. When using this phrase, it's important to focus on necessities rather than luxuries, and to consider its application in discussions of social policies and equitable living conditions. Related phrases offer alternative ways to express similar concepts, while best practices ensure clarity and precision in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

essential material requirements

Replaces "needs" with "requirements", emphasizing the necessity of these materials.

fundamental material necessities

Substitutes "basic" with "fundamental" and "needs" with "necessities", highlighting their indispensable nature.

primary material provisions

Replaces "needs" with "provisions", focusing on the act of providing essential materials.

basic physical necessities

Adds "physical" to specify the type of needs being addressed, focusing on bodily requirements.

core material essentials

Uses "core" and "essentials" to emphasize the most important material needs.

basic living requirements

Focuses on the requirements for sustaining life at a basic level.

minimum material standards

Emphasizes the minimal acceptable level of material possessions.

basic subsistence needs

Highlights the needs for survival and maintaining life at a minimal level.

essential goods and services

Broadens the scope to include both tangible goods and intangible services necessary for well-being.

fundamental resources for survival

Focuses on the resources crucial for staying alive and thriving.

FAQs

How do I use "basic material needs" in a sentence?

You can use "basic material needs" to refer to the essential resources people require for survival and well-being. For example, "Access to education and healthcare are as important as "basic material needs" like food and shelter".

What's a good substitute for "basic material needs"?

Alternatives include "essential material requirements", "fundamental material necessities", or "primary material provisions". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Are "basic needs" and "basic material needs" the same?

While related, "basic needs" is broader and can include non-material aspects like safety, love, and belonging. "Basic material needs" specifically refers to tangible resources like food, clothing, and housing. Therefore, "basic material needs" is a subset of "basic needs".

Why is it important to ensure people have their "basic material needs" met?

Meeting "basic material needs" is crucial for ensuring people can live with dignity and participate fully in society. When these needs are unmet, individuals may face significant barriers to education, employment, and overall well-being. Meeting "basic material needs" can promote social equity.