find some scrap

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "find some scrap" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of searching for leftover materials or items that can be reused or repurposed. Example: "Before starting the project, let's find some scrap to see if we can use it instead of buying new materials."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Find some scrap leather.

WikiHow

Find some scrap fabric or newspaper to use to weave off the first 12 inches (30.5 cm) or so of your warp.

WikiHow

Find some scrap steel, between 3/16 and 1/4 inch (4.7mm to 6.35mm) thick, and at least 4 inches by 5 inches (10cm by 12.5cm) in size.

WikiHow

You may find some scrap lumber around building sites, but if you don't, one 8 foot (2.4m) long 1X4 will be enough to build several of these simple traps.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"Listen, I'll have lunch with you, if that's going to make you happy, but don't be so pathetic as to start thinking you've found some scrap of genius.

The New Yorker

Find some pretty scrap fabric.

WikiHow

When you have a bad day you have to find some way of scrapping and fighting to stay in the game but when we have had bad days we have been out of the game.

The Guardian - Sport

If he couldn't find a scrap of paper, he would draw with chalk on the linoleum floor of the kitchen.

The New York Times - Books

Unable to find the scrap of paper on which he had written her e-mail address, he did his best to type it in from memory.

The New York Times

What is most winning about "Distant," however, is that it can peer past the grief and find a scrap of comedy.

The New Yorker

Mr. Rindler said that each piece had been replaced perfectly, and that later he was touched to find a scrap of paper etched with a little schematic map.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When instructing someone to gather materials for a project, use "find some scrap" to emphasize resourcefulness and cost-effectiveness.

Common error

Avoid using "find some scrap" when new, specific materials are required. This phrase implies flexibility and the use of what's available, not a precise purchase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "find some scrap" functions as an imperative, typically used to instruct someone to locate and gather any available waste or discarded materials. As noted by Ludwig, it encourages resourcefulness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Wiki

40%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "find some scrap" is a grammatically correct and understandable directive to locate and utilize discarded or leftover materials, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. While it's relatively rare, appearing across diverse sources like WikiHow and news media, its communicative purpose is clear: encouraging resourcefulness. It generally fits an informal to neutral register, making it suitable for everyday instructions or cost-effective projects. When a more formal tone is needed, consider using alternatives such as "procure recycled materials".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

look for leftover material

Simple and direct way of asking for remaining material.

locate discarded material

Focuses on the act of finding something already thrown away.

search for salvageable material

Focuses on the search for reusable material.

acquire remnant material

Implies a more deliberate acquisition of leftover material.

get hold of surplus material

Suggests obtaining material that is in excess.

obtain recycled material

Suggests finding material that has been processed for reuse.

source unused material

Highlights the act of finding a supply of material that hasn't been used.

secure reclaimed material

Implies getting material that was previously used and is now available again.

seek out offcuts

Specifically refers to finding pieces cut off from a larger piece of material.

procure waste material

Highlights the process of obtaining material that is considered waste.

FAQs

How can I use the phrase "find some scrap" in a sentence?

You can use "find some scrap" when you want someone to look for and gather any discarded or leftover material for a specific purpose. For example, "Before you buy new fabric, try to "find some scrap" in the attic."

What is a more formal alternative to "find some scrap"?

A more formal way to say "find some scrap" would be "procure recycled material" or "obtain reclaimed material" which are appropriate in professional settings.

Is it okay to use "find some scrap" in a business email?

It depends on the context. If you are discussing cost-saving measures or resource management, "find some scrap" is acceptable. However, for formal communication, it's better to use phrases like "source surplus materials".

What's the difference between "find some scrap" and "acquire new materials"?

"Find some scrap" implies searching for and using existing or discarded items, while "acquire new materials" means purchasing or obtaining materials that are brand new and unused.