made of real stuff

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "made of real stuff" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is composed of tangible, physical materials, often in contrast to something that is artificial or intangible. Example: "The sculpture was impressive, made of real stuff like marble and bronze, rather than plastic or resin."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

That's because they're made of real stuff.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Though it is rendered with polygons and pixels, this side-scrolling game looks somehow to be made of real physical stuff: the wood, cloth and cardboard of actual stage sets.

The New York Times - Arts

Your group is made of real people.

WikiHow

They must be made of real leather.

WikiHow

He says a lot of real stuff.

The Guardian - Music

Yet billionaire real estate magnate Donald Trump is made of sterner stuff.

Forbes

I assume their political operatives have determined that talking about "real jobs making real stuff" and that sort of thing strikes a chord, especially among a certain type of swing voter.

The New York Times

Where Khan is a scary beast and a reminder that, although picture book tigers are often friendly and fun, the real things is made of much tougher stuff!

The Guardian

Barcelona, however, is made of sterner stuff.

The New York Times - Sports

Academia should be made of sterner stuff.

The New York Times

Robertson, 28, is made of stern stuff.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "made of real stuff" to emphasize the tangible and authentic qualities of an object or concept, especially when contrasting it with something artificial or superficial. For example, "Unlike the flimsy imitations, this bag is "made of real stuff", ensuring its durability and longevity."

Common error

Avoid using "made of real stuff" when simply stating the composition of something. This phrase is best used to contrast with something fake or insubstantial. Saying "The house is "made of real stuff", like bricks and wood" is less effective than "The house is "made of real stuff", not cardboard and plastic like the stage set."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "made of real stuff" functions as a descriptive phrase, typically following a verb like 'is' or 'are'. It modifies a noun, indicating the composition or quality of the subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

50%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "made of real stuff" is a descriptive phrase used to emphasize the authenticity and substance of something. Ludwig AI indicates that it's usable in written English and commonly found in news and media contexts. While grammatically correct, it carries a slightly informal tone, making it best suited for general or conversational writing. When aiming for more formal communication, consider alternative phrases like "composed of genuine material". The phrase is most effective when used to contrast something real with something artificial or insubstantial.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

composed of genuine material

Emphasizes the authentic and unadulterated nature of the materials.

constructed from authentic components

Highlights the building blocks being genuine.

fashioned from legitimate materials

Focuses on the creation process involving true materials.

built from the real McCoy

Uses an idiom to stress the genuineness of the components.

comprised of tangible elements

Stresses the physical and concrete aspect of the elements.

made from unadulterated ingredients

Highlights the purity and lack of artificiality.

created with bona fide components

Focuses on the good faith and authenticity of the elements.

consisting of actual materials

Directly states that the materials are real and not simulated.

substantially genuine

Highlights the authentic essence of the composition.

authentically sourced

Focuses on the verified origin and veracity of the components.

FAQs

How can I use "made of real stuff" in a sentence?

Use "made of real stuff" to describe something genuine and substantial, often in contrast to something artificial or flimsy. For example, "This furniture is "made of real stuff", unlike the cheap imitations you find elsewhere."

What are some alternatives to "made of real stuff"?

You can use alternatives like "composed of genuine material", "constructed from authentic components", or "fashioned from legitimate materials" depending on the context.

Is "made of real stuff" formal or informal?

"Made of real stuff" is generally considered informal. For more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "composed of authentic materials" or "constructed from genuine components".

What does it mean when something is described as "made of real stuff"?

It means that the item or concept is genuine, substantial, and composed of authentic materials, as opposed to being artificial, flimsy, or superficial.