master text

USAGE SUMMARY

'master text' is not a correct or usable part of a sentence in written English.
However, 'mastering a text' could be used to mean that someone has become very familiar with the text. For example, "He has been mastering the text for months, so he can easily find the answer to any question."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

The Taiping Jing, a text attributed to the Yellow Turbans, was not a Celestial Master text, but reflects at least in part some Celestial Master thought and practice.

Wikipedia

Also, as scholars have illuminated, there is no "master" text.

Huffington Post

The only significant Celestial Master text that survives from the Hanzhong period is the Xiang'er commentary to the Dao De Jing.

Wikipedia

Despite their opposition to 'heqi' and reproductive sex, there is the possibility that the Celestial Masters supported sex for purposes other than reproduction, and a Celestial Master text from around the 5th century describes an elaborate sexual ritual.

Wikipedia

This is the master text, source for cloning, you don't want it to show in the final design so it has to be placed outside of the canvas.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

What a boon it is for us at Princeton to have his notes on these thinkers and writers, to see the master of textuality perform, as it were, on other master texts".

Los Angeles Times

The assessment expert concluded the workshop with "the overarching message that mastering text complexity is the secret to reading success".

Huffington Post

Finally, Masters texts suggest active competition between the textual specialists of the Masters schools and the technical experts whose knowledge and expertise is reflected in the last three sections of the Treatise.

SEP

"Virgil's Aeneid is her master-text," wrote one critic.

The Guardian - Opinion

"This will lead to mastering texts from the Egyptians themselves, not their rulers, at a time the country was becoming absorbed increasingly into the Greco-Roman world".

The New York Times - Science

The authors of philosophical or "Masters" texts (discussed below) were private individuals who often sought, but rarely achieved political influence.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to an original or source document, consider using "source text" or "original text" for clarity. If referring to the act of learning, rephrase as "mastering the text".

Common error

Avoid using "master text" as a general term for any important text. The phrase is not widely recognized and may confuse readers. Opt for more common terms like "key document" or "essential reading".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "master text" functions primarily as a noun phrase, though its usage is limited. It attempts to describe a definitive or original version of a text, but this usage is not standard. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is better to say "mastering a text".

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "master text" appears in various contexts, it is not a standard or widely accepted term in English. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase isn't considered correct and thus should be avoided in formal writing. Its usage is most prevalent in technical or specialized domains, but even there, alternatives like "source text", "original text", or, when referring to the act of comprehension, "mastering the text" are preferable. Relying on well-established alternatives ensures clarity and avoids potential confusion. Ludwig AI is useful to indicate this problem.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

definitive text

Emphasizes the authoritative and complete nature of the text.

authoritative text

Highlights the reliability and expertise behind the text.

canonical text

Suggests the text is a standard or classic example in its field.

original manuscript

Focuses on the initial, unaltered version of the text.

source document

Indicates the text is the primary origin of information.

core material

Highlights essential content within the text.

reference text

Suggests the text is intended for looking up information.

to master the text

Replaces the noun phrase with a verb phrase indicating thorough understanding.

to become proficient in the text

Focuses on the skill acquired through studying the text.

gain expertise in the text

Emphasizes the acquisition of specialized knowledge from the text.

FAQs

How can I use the phrase "master text" correctly?

The phrase "master text" is not a standard English phrase. It is better to say "mastering the text" to refer to the act of becoming proficient with a text, or use "source text" or "original text" if you mean an original document.

What's a better alternative to "master text" in academic writing?

In academic writing, consider using "seminal text", "foundational text", or "authoritative source" depending on the specific meaning you intend to convey.

Is it correct to use "master text" to describe a document that contains key information?

While understandable, it's more common and clearer to use phrases like "key document", "essential reading", or "primary source".

What can I say instead of "master text" when talking about learning something from a book?

Instead of "master text", you can say "mastering the material", "becoming proficient in the subject", or "gaining expertise in the topic".