Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
has been material
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "has been material" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has been significant or relevant over a period of time. Example: "The research has been material in shaping our understanding of climate change."
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Science
Alternative expressions(4)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
6 human-written examples
The rest -- their move to America, her editorship of The New Yorker, his of Random House -- has been material for gossip columns ever since.
News & Media
There has been material written this week that did pick up on some of the issues and the chief constable [of South Yorkshire] said he would review further whether there were any documents that could be put into the public domain, and that is a very welcome statement.
News & Media
That said, when asked if the monetization of mobile search has been material to Google's bottom line, Schmidt said that it wasn't yet — and wouldn't be soon.
News & Media
Let's take a short trip through the past few days, in which result — that bugaboo "harm" — of the NSA's actions has been material.
News & Media
The fact that there has been material imported from other countries, and added to local produce to go into further processing, is very disappointing".
News & Media
There has been material change in the past few years: Whether it's a survey circulated by Sukhinder Singh Cassidy encouraging high-profile women to commit to the cause or Pinterest engineer Tracy Chou's push for diversity reports and transparency at her own company, which had a cascade effect across the entire industry.
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
51 human-written examples
This is the first time there have been material missteps.
News & Media
The CC then considered whether there had been material changes in circumstances since the 2009 ruling.
News & Media
Only then can we judge if there have been material changes," said Sarah Wilson, chief executive of shareholder advisory group Manifest.
News & Media
"This evidence of possible third-party culpability was exculpatory in nature, and would have been material to the outcome of the trial," Gross wrote.
News & Media
Facebook is likely to push back and say that its growth prospects are so uncertain that this information could not have been material.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Use "has been material" to emphasize the continuing relevance or significance of something over a period of time. This phrase is particularly effective when discussing long-term trends, research findings, or historical developments.
Common error
Avoid using "has been material" in casual conversation or informal writing. This phrase is best suited for formal contexts where precision and clarity are essential. In less formal settings, consider using simpler alternatives like "has been important" or "has mattered".
Source & Trust
85%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "has been material" functions as a predicate adjective, describing the state or quality of a subject over a period of time. It indicates that something has had a significant or relevant impact, as shown in Ludwig's examples from news and media sources.
Frequent in
News & Media
60%
Science
20%
Formal & Business
10%
Less common in
Encyclopedias
5%
Wiki
3%
Academia
2%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, the phrase "has been material" is used to convey that something has been significant or relevant over a period. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and most commonly found in news and media contexts. For alternative phrasings, consider "has proven significant" or "has been important". While suitable for formal writing, avoid overusing "has been material" in casual settings. The phrase is more about prolonged significance than transient importance.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
has proven significant
Emphasizes the proven importance or impact over time.
has been consequential
Highlights the importance of the effects or outcomes.
has been important
Directly states the significance of something over time.
has been of consequence
Similar to consequential, but with a slightly more formal tone.
has played a role
Focuses on the contribution or influence of something.
has had an impact
Highlights the effect or influence something has had.
has made a difference
Emphasizes the positive change or effect something has caused.
has carried weight
Suggests that something has had influence or importance in a decision or situation.
has held significance
Indicates that something has maintained its importance or meaning over time.
has borne importance
A more formal way of saying something has been important.
FAQs
How can I use "has been material" in a sentence?
You can use "has been material" to describe something that has had a significant impact or influence over time. For example, "The research has been material in shaping our understanding of climate change".
What are some alternatives to "has been material"?
Alternatives include phrases like "has proven significant", "has been important", or "has had an impact". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.
In what contexts is "has been material" most appropriate?
"Has been material" is most appropriate in formal and academic contexts where you need to emphasize the ongoing significance or relevance of something. It is less suitable for informal settings.
What is the difference between "has been material" and "was material"?
"Has been material" implies ongoing or continued relevance, while "was material" suggests that something was significant at a specific point in the past but may no longer be so. The choice depends on whether the relevance persists to the present.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
85%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested