in material

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in material" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to refer to something related to physical substances or resources, but it lacks context for proper usage. Example: "The findings were significant in material terms, impacting the overall project budget."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But our losses in material are enormous.

The Guardian

There's nothing unusual in material about IT or cheap hotels.

The Guardian

Yulia isn't interested in material things," he suggested.

The Guardian

"It will say clearly that Iraq is in material breach.

The New York Times

Those who responded in material terms were hardly lavish.

The New York Times

Nor are many of them so lacking in material.

The Guardian

Her formative years are certainly rich in material.

The Guardian

There is tremendous potential in material gathered by UAVs".

Independent

"All of life's wonders are not reflected in material wealth".

The New York Times

Bowman resigned because he was too far behind in material.

The New York Times

Sedentary life makes possible many improvements in material culture.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "in material" with more precise phrasing that directly relates to the intended meaning, such as "regarding materials", "concerning content", or "related to the data".

Common error

Avoid using "in material" without specifying what aspect of the material you are referring to. This can lead to ambiguity. Be precise with phrases like "in material form" or "in material terms" to avoid confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in material" functions as a prepositional phrase, but its grammatical correctness and clarity are often disputed. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is generally considered incorrect without further context or clarification. Its role varies depending on the surrounding words, sometimes modifying a noun or verb.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

41%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in material" appears frequently across various contexts, as shown by Ludwig, yet it's often flagged as grammatically questionable. Ludwig AI suggests its usage lacks clarity and precision. While common in News & Media and Science, alternative phrases like "in terms of material", "regarding the material", or "concerning the content" offer improved grammatical correctness and clarity. Due to its potential for ambiguity, it's advisable to opt for more precise phrasing to avoid misinterpretations. Therefore, while the phrase is "in material" is found in many sources, careful consideration should be given to using more direct and grammatically sound alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in terms of material

Adds 'terms of' to clarify that the discussion is about specific aspects related to material.

related to material

Specifies a connection or association with the subject of 'material'.

regarding material

Replaces "in" with "regarding" to specify the topic being discussed. Focuses on the subject matter.

concerning material

Similar to 'regarding material', it emphasizes the subject or topic at hand.

about the material

A more direct way to indicate the topic of discussion.

with respect to material

Formally indicates the aspect or element being considered.

in the subject matter

Replaces "material" with 'subject matter' to refer to the content being considered.

in the physical substance

Focuses on physical or tangible aspects, replacing 'material' with 'physical substance'.

regarding the data

Specifies that the context refers to data, which is a specific type of material.

concerning the content

Specifies that the context refers to content, which is a specific type of material.

FAQs

What does "in material" mean?

The phrase "in material" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. Depending on the context, it might be intended to refer to physical substances, subject matter, or content. Clearer alternatives include "in terms of material", "regarding the material", or "concerning the content".

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

While "in material" is often considered grammatically incorrect, you can revise your sentence to use alternatives like "in terms of material", "regarding the material", or /s/related+to+the+material depending on the context. For example, instead of saying "The issue is in material breach", say "The issue is in terms of material breach".

What can I say instead of "in material"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "in terms of material", "regarding the material", or "concerning the content". The best choice depends on the specific meaning you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "in material"?

Given that Ludwig AI flags it as potentially incorrect, it is best to avoid the phrase "in material" altogether. Instead, opt for clearer and more grammatically sound alternatives such as "with respect to material", "related to material", or "in the subject matter".