excess material

USAGE SUMMARY

"excess material" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to items or substances that are in excess of what is needed, desired, or expected. For example, "The company had to dispose of the excess material that it couldn't use."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He later added: "I gave those guys the excess material after my contractor did the work.

The New York Times

After bonding, excess material is removed and any holes are filled.

The New York Times

Additional excess material in the horizontal dimension will only result in loose wrinkles.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The molded plastic is hot, and excess material called flash often has to be cut off by hand with a small sharp tool.

The New York Times - Magazine

While mine operators typically are required to return the mountain to its approximate original shape, excess material is used to fill valleys, burying streams.

The Guardian

Does he go to the bathroom and contemplate "the voiding of excess material from his bodily chasm" as he sits on the loo?

The Guardian - Arts

So any excess material will have to be converted to oxide form.

BBC

All work was conducted on excess material from the Departments of Pathology at CCHE.

Clinical and Translational Medicine

c) Removal of the excess material to produce a mouth-opening, tongue-depressing stent.

3D Printing in Medicine

A glass slide was placed over the strips and excess material was extruded by pressure application.

Applied Adhesion Science

This causes the excess material to flow through the gap between the die and the inner punch.

Materials Science and Engineering: A

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing processes like manufacturing or construction, specify how the "excess material" is handled, such as recycling, disposal, or reuse, to add clarity and demonstrate responsible resource management.

Common error

Avoid using "excess material" in highly abstract or metaphorical contexts where simpler terms like "surplus" or "redundancy" might be clearer and more appropriate for the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "excess material" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often acting as the object of a verb or preposition. Ludwig shows this usage across diverse contexts, from describing manufacturing processes to discussing waste management.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

45%

Wiki

23%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "excess material" is a commonly used noun phrase that describes surplus or unwanted substances. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for diverse writing contexts. Its primary function is descriptive, often appearing in discussions related to manufacturing, waste management, and resource utilization. While the phrase maintains a neutral register, it frequently surfaces in both scientific and news-related articles, indicating a wide applicability. Remember to specify how "excess material" is handled to add clarity and avoid overuse in abstract situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

surplus material

Direct synonym emphasizing the idea of an amount beyond what is needed.

unneeded material

Directly states that the material is not required.

extra material

A simpler term indicating more material than required.

superfluous material

A more formal term for material that is beyond what is sufficient.

redundant material

Highlights that the material is unnecessary and can be removed without consequence.

waste material

Focuses on the aspect of the material being unwanted and often discarded.

leftover material

Implies the material remains after a process or task is completed.

spare material

Suggests that the material is available as a backup or reserve.

residual material

Focuses on the aspect of being a residue or remainder.

unconsumed material

Highlights that the material has not been used or depleted.

FAQs

How is "excess material" typically removed in manufacturing processes?

Depending on the material and process, "excess material" can be removed through cutting, grinding, machining, or chemical etching. The specific method depends on achieving the desired shape and finish while minimizing waste.

What are some common synonyms for "excess material"?

Alternatives to "excess material" include "surplus material", "extra material", "waste material", and "leftover material", each carrying slightly different connotations related to the origin and intended use of the material.

In clothing design, what happens to "excess material" after cutting patterns?

In garment making, "excess material" is often repurposed for smaller design elements, used in sample making, or recycled to minimize fabric waste and promote sustainable practices.

Is it always negative to have "excess material" in a project?

Not necessarily. While it often implies waste, having some "excess material" can be beneficial for adjustments, repairs, or modifications. In some contexts, like tailoring, leaving "extra material" in seams allows for future alterations.