material are

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "material are" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be an attempt to describe the nature or quality of materials, but it lacks proper grammatical structure. Example: "The materials are essential for the project."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Its performances and musical material are praiseworthy.

The New York Times

But our losses in material are enormous.

The Guardian

"Disposal costs for roofing material are tremendous," Mr. Nieto said.

The New York Times

Such leaks of Russian material are extremely rare.

The Guardian

On what material are Ricardo Lanzarini's drawings created?

The New York Times

Documents, artifacts and other supporting material are also included.

The New York Times

Systems to account for fissile material are rudimentary or nonexistent.

The New York Times

The request and the relevant material are being carefully considered".

The Guardian

And search results for older material are quite limited.

The New York Times

But printouts of digital material are a second-best solution.

The Economist

In a typical absorbing cell, granules of material are absorbed.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always ensure subject-verb agreement. When referring to multiple "materials", use the plural form "materials" with the verb "are".

Common error

Avoid using the singular noun "material" with the plural verb "are". This creates a grammatical error. Instead, use "materials are" for the plural or "the material is" for the singular form.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "material are" is grammatically incorrect due to a subject-verb agreement error. "Material" is a singular noun, but it's paired with the plural verb "are". Ludwig AI highlights this issue, indicating that correct usage requires either pluralizing the noun or using a singular verb.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "material are" is grammatically incorrect due to a subject-verb disagreement. While it appears frequently across various sources like news, science, and encyclopedias, this does not validate its usage. Ludwig AI flags this phrase as incorrect, suggesting corrections such as ""materials are"" or "the material is", depending on the intended meaning. Always ensure subject-verb agreement to maintain clarity and grammatical accuracy in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

materials are

This alternative corrects the grammar by making "material" plural, agreeing with the plural verb "are".

supplies are

This substitutes "material" with "supplies", which is a plural noun, maintaining the plural verb "are".

resources are

This replaces "material" with "resources", another plural noun that fits similar contexts and agrees with "are".

components are

This alternative uses "components" instead of "material", providing a more specific term for parts and agreeing with the verb "are".

ingredients are

This replaces "material" with "ingredients", often used when referring to a mixture or recipe and agrees with "are".

substances are

This substitutes "material" with "substances", which is a plural noun and maintains the plural verb "are".

fabrics are

This replaces "material" with "fabrics", appropriate when referring to textiles and agreeing with "are".

elements are

This alternative uses "elements" instead of "material", often suitable in scientific or technical contexts, and agrees with "are".

goods are

This alternative uses "goods" instead of "material", appropriate when referring to products and agrees with "are".

the material is

This corrects the phrase by using the singular form "the material is", which agrees in number. It changes the focus to a specific singular item.

FAQs

What's the correct way to use "material" with the verb "to be"?

The correctness depends on whether you're referring to a single item or multiple items. Use "the material is" for a singular item and "the "materials are"" for multiple items.

Is it ever correct to say "material are"?

No, "material are" is grammatically incorrect. "Material" is a singular noun, so it should be paired with a singular verb like "is". To use a plural verb, the noun must also be pluralized, such as ""materials are"".

What can I say instead of "material are"?

To correct the grammar, use ""materials are"" when referring to multiple items. If referring to a single item, use "the material is". Alternatives like "resources are" or "components are" may also be suitable depending on the context.

How does using "material are" affect the clarity of my writing?

Using "material are" introduces a grammatical error that can confuse readers and detract from the overall clarity and professionalism of your writing. Correcting it to ""materials are"" or "the material is" ensures your message is easily understood.