lump of material

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lump of material" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a solid, compact mass of a substance, often in contexts related to science, manufacturing, or art. Example: "The sculptor started with a large lump of material, which he would eventually carve into a beautiful statue."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

This is far more efficient than starting with a lump of material and machining away the unwanted parts.

The Economist

Previous measurements have shown that the lump of material at the center of that collision is from 10too 100 times as dense as normal nuclear matter.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Unfortunately the filtering was less than perfect and little lumps of material would float up and down lava-lamp fashion in the finished bottle.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Technically, concrete is simply a mixture of three ingredients: big lumps of material called the coarse aggregate (such as gravel), smaller lumps called the fine aggregate (such as sand) and a binding agent, or cement, to glue it all together into a solid.

The Economist

This means that the larger pulse on time leading greater discharge and intense spark removes lumps of material from the work piece surface leading to form a larger deeper crater causes greater MRR and surface roughness.

International Journal of Mechanical and Materials Engineering

On the other hand, 3D texture mapping generates highly natural visual effects in which objects appear carved from lumps of materials rather than laminated with thin sheets as in 2D texture mapping.

Graphical Models

A spherical charge of high explosive is used to compress a lump of fissile material (usually plutonium-239) at the core.

The Economist

The good ones succeed through hubris, through the arrogant assumption that a great novel is not a sacred artifact but rather a lump of interesting material to be shaped according to the filmmaker's will.

The Guardian - Opinion

It had been concealed in a lump of organic material excavated from a Viking burial site at Lilleberge in Norway by a British archaeologist in the 1880s and acquired by the British Museum in 1891.

The Guardian

Another common feature is the presence of a lump of extracellular material exactly at the junction between the intermediate and the glandular cells (Fig.  8b-c and f-g).

BMC Plant Biology

Do not use feather-stuffed pillows: when you cut these open, instead of getting a lump of cushion material you can cut diagonally, you get a large cloud of downy feathers!

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lump of material", consider the context to ensure the term accurately reflects the form and nature of the substance you're describing. For example, in scientific contexts, be specific about the material's composition.

Common error

Avoid using "lump of material" when a more specific term is available. Instead of saying "the artist used a lump of material", specify the material such as "clay", "wood", or "stone" to provide more clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lump of material" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a preposition or verb. It describes a non-specific, solid mass of some substance. Ludwig confirms its usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lump of material" is a versatile noun phrase used to describe a solid mass of substance, often without specifying the material's exact nature. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and appears in diverse contexts, from news reports to scientific articles. While alternatives like "mass of substance" or "chunk of matter" exist, the choice depends on the desired level of specificity. When writing, consider whether more precise terminology would enhance clarity, but understand that "lump of material" is a generally acceptable and widely understood term.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mass of substance

Focuses on the weight and quantity of the material.

mass of matter

Similar to "mass of substance" but focuses on matter in general.

chunk of matter

Emphasizes the irregular and solid nature of the material.

piece of stuff

Uses a more general term to describe the material, suitable for informal contexts.

block of matter

Suggests a more defined and solid form of the material.

portion of substance

Highlights the part or share of the material.

piece of raw material

Emphasizes the unprocessed state of the material.

segment of material

Indicates a cut or divided part of the material.

volume of stuff

Describes the amount or space occupied by the material, using a less specific term.

bit of content

Refers to a small amount or component of the material.

FAQs

How can I use "lump of material" in a sentence?

You can use "lump of material" to describe a compact mass of something. For example, "The sculptor began with a large "lump of material" before shaping it into the statue".

What are some alternatives to "lump of material"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include "mass of substance", "chunk of matter", or "piece of stuff". These options vary in formality and specificity.

Is "lump of material" too vague?

In some cases, yes. If you know the specific type of material, it's better to use a more precise term like "lump of clay" or "piece of metal". However, "lump of material" is useful when the exact composition is unknown or unimportant.

Can "lump of material" refer to abstract concepts?

While primarily used for physical substances, "lump of material" can metaphorically describe a large or undefined quantity of something. For instance, one might jokingly refer to a dense textbook as a ""lump of material"".