material

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "material" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are referring to physical substances, resources, or content relevant to a particular subject or discussion. Example: "The material provided in the report was essential for understanding the project's scope."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is a crime under the Act to send "by means of a public electronic communications network" a message or other material that is "grossly offensive or of an indecent, obscene or menacing character".

The Guardian - Books

The material effect of being so isolated is that information is reordered around the reality they can't escape: everybody has to care what the Hamas military guy says; his speech is analysed late into the night by groups huddled over cigarettes.

The Guardian - Opinion

Anthony McIntyre, a former IRA life sentence prisoner and chief researcher on the Belfast project, defended the archive and blamed Boston College for failing to make clear to him and the interviewees that there was a legal treaty that allowed the British state to seize academic material from the United States.

The Guardian

"There is no way I would not want the available material not to be seen by viewers," she said.

The Guardian

We had our first order within half an hour of launching the business – we were really excited and then realised it was for a material swatch [samples of fabric].

The Guardian

Related: Graphene – six ways wonder material could improve world sustainability Perhaps most significantly, public policy around packaging has advanced at a snail's pace.

The Guardian

On Monday Boston College announced it was prepared to give back taped recordings and other material to dozens of ex-IRA and loyalist paramilitaries who had taken part.

The Guardian

These are aggressive displays of the primal male, stripped of all material signs of civility.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The moderate conservative, frequently tipped by Republican insiders as vice-presidential material, made his ambitions for the top job clear with trips to the early primary states of New Hampshire and South Carolina on Saturday, followed by an appearance on NBC's Meet the Press on Sunday.

The Guardian

In a 500-page report, the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) called for urgent improvements in the accountability of undercover firearms operations after finding that a lack of audio or video material "made it difficult, and on occasions impossible, to know with absolute certainty what happened".

The Guardian

It has a fair chance, given its cast, source material and the presence of Ryan, a master of edge-of-your-seat television.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to physical substances, be specific about the type of "material" to avoid ambiguity. For instance, instead of just saying "material", specify "building material" or "clothing material".

Common error

Avoid using "material" as a generic term when a more precise word would be more informative. For example, instead of saying "The material was interesting", specify whether it was "the data", "the research", or "the content" that was interesting.

Linguistic Context

The word "material" functions primarily as a noun, referring to a substance or matter from which something is made. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in various contexts, from physical materials like cloth to abstract materials like data or content. Ludwig AI indicates that its use is correct and standard.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "material" is a versatile term with broad applications, ranging from physical substances to informational content. As Ludwig examples show, this word is grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, particularly in news, business, and scientific domains. To enhance clarity, specify the type of "material" you are referring to. Avoid using it as a vague substitute for more descriptive nouns. Understanding these nuances, informed by Ludwig AI's insights, will ensure effective and precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

raw material

Denotes unprocessed substances used in manufacturing.

subject matter

Refers to the topic or content being discussed or presented.

content

Refers to the substance or essence of a written work or communication.

fabric

Refers specifically to cloth or textile used for making garments.

textile

Similar to fabric, but can also encompass other woven or knitted materials.

cloth

Specifically refers to a woven or felted fabric.

resource

Highlights the availability and utility of the substance or information.

data

Emphasizes factual information, often numerical or statistical.

evidence

Implies information used to support a claim or argument.

stuff

A more general term referring to substance or matter of any kind.

FAQs

How can I use "material" in a sentence?

You can use "material" to refer to physical substances, like in "The dress is made of cotton material", or to refer to information or content, as in "The professor presented new research material".

What's a good alternative to the word "material"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "fabric", "content", "data", or "resource". The best choice depends on what you're specifically referring to.

Is it correct to say "materials" instead of "material"?

Yes, "materials" is the plural form of "material" and is used when referring to multiple types of material. For instance, "We need to gather the construction materials".

What is the difference between "material" and "immaterial"?

"Material" refers to something physical or tangible, while "immaterial" refers to something that is not physical or significant. For instance, "The cost is a material factor", versus "The cost is immaterial to the decision".