distinctly material

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "distinctly material" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize that something is clearly significant or relevant to a particular context or discussion. Example: "The evidence presented in court was distinctly material to the case, influencing the jury's decision."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Instead, Semmelweis argued that his contagion was something distinctly material.

The New York Times - Books

Every gesture represents something — masts, rigging, sails, reflections in the water — yet each mark and stain retains its distinctly material identity.

The New York Times - Arts

That's why Mr. Gal beckoned a few hundred Northwestern students to test whether we also might salivate to distinctly material incentives, notably money and sports cars.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

To test this hypothesis, cruciform biaxial connective tissue samples that display distinctly different material properties (bovine pericardium, fish skin), as well as model textile laminates with predefined fibrous orientations, were repeatedly tested with decreasing sample arm lengths.

Biomaterials

3D metallic lattices designed to have two distinctly different material architectures have been woven with metallic Cu wires.

Materials & Design

Even officially sanctioned ones are often created from distinctly odd materials, including decommissioned subway cars, vintage battle tanks, armored personnel carriers, oil drilling rigs, and specially designed beehivelike modules called Reef Balls.

Huffington Post

This is due to the distinctly non-linear material behaviour of steel at elevated temperatures, and the large strains required for increasing cross-sectional capacity due to plastification.

Journal of Constructional Steel Research

Yet even when played as a concert piece, and despite its odd proportions and a distinctly episodic structure, its material remains vividly dramatic, as if conceived – as Berlioz authority David Cairns suggested in his programme note for this LSO performance – for "an ideal stage of the imagination".

The Guardian - Music

The elastic modulus of the material is distinctly influenced by porosity.

Surface and Coatings Technology

An analysis of results from literature revealed that Young's moduli of c-BN thin films are generally distinctly smaller than bulk material values.

Surface and Coatings Technology

The main observation is that the flexural strength of this material is distinctly rate-sensitive, a point that was explained by fracture surface porosity levels corresponding to the different loading regimes.

Mechanics of Materials

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "distinctly material" to emphasize the tangible or concrete aspect of something, particularly when contrasting it with abstract or theoretical concepts. For instance, highlight that evidence in a case is "distinctly material" rather than circumstantial.

Common error

Avoid using "distinctly material" when discussing purely abstract ideas or emotions. This phrase is most effective when emphasizing physical or concrete aspects. Instead, use alternatives like "clearly important" or "significantly relevant" in abstract discussions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "distinctly material" functions as an adverb-adjective combination, modifying a noun to emphasize the tangible and significant nature of that noun. As shown in Ludwig, it highlights that something is not abstract or theoretical, but has a concrete and impactful presence.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "distinctly material" serves to emphasize the tangible and significant nature of something, differentiating it from abstract concepts. As confirmed by Ludwig, its primary function is to highlight relevance, with usage spanning news, science, and formal business contexts. While grammatically sound and deemed correct, its frequency is rare. When writing, consider using "distinctly material" to underscore that something is not just conceptual but possesses concrete importance, and that the relevance it has is clearly perceived.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unambiguously material

Conveys a meaning which is free of all ambiguity when comes to the materiality of something.

clearly relevant

Emphasizes the clarity and direct connection of the material to the subject.

patently relevant

Highlights the obvious and undeniable relevance of the material.

unmistakably relevant

Stresses that there is no mistaking the material's relevance.

plainly significant

Underscores the evident significance or importance of the material.

obviously pertinent

Highlights the self-evident pertinence of the material to the context.

conspicuously material

Suggests something is easily noticeable in its materiality

decidedly important

Emphasizes the clear and unquestionable importance of the material.

markedly significant

Indicates a noticeable and significant degree of importance in the material.

particularly relevant

Highlights the special or exceptional relevance of the material.

FAQs

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

You can use "distinctly material" to emphasize that something is clearly significant or relevant, particularly in a tangible way. For example, "The evidence presented was "distinctly material" to the outcome of the trial."

What are some alternatives to "distinctly material"?

Alternatives include "clearly relevant", "patently relevant", or "unmistakably relevant", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "distinctly material" formal or informal?

"Distinctly material" leans towards a more formal register, suitable for academic, professional, or news contexts. In informal settings, simpler alternatives might be preferred.

What's the difference between "distinctly material" and "highly relevant"?

"Distinctly material" emphasizes the tangible and concrete relevance of something. "Highly relevant", on the other hand, simply indicates a high degree of importance or connection, without necessarily implying a tangible aspect.