material at hand

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "material at hand" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the resources or information currently available for consideration or discussion. Example: "In order to make an informed decision, we must carefully analyze the material at hand."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She sometimes overinterprets the sparse material at hand.

The New York Times - Books

That search particularly suits the material at hand.

The New York Times - Books

Like Conroy, Iles writes with passion, intensity and an absolute commitment to the material at hand.

The Washington Post

Soon foreign scholars arrived in Toledo to commission translators or to investigate the material at hand.

Britannica

That Chicago actors are more concerned with serving the material at hand than their careers.

The New York Times - Arts

He was a Russian émigré who brought his cosmopolitan culture to the raw material at hand.

The New York Times - Arts

The exhibition's jubilant Indiana Jones spirit coexists easily with a reverence for the material at hand.

The Economist

Many lots are "production packages" that include all the material at hand concerning a single stamp or a single issue.

The New York Times - Style

Companies also have a new structural material at hand to reshape their organization to achieve these new purposes.

Harvard Business Review

Its 40 minutes are more than twice the time needed to take in the material at hand.

The New York Times - Arts

Mr. Whitaker is a talented, magnetic actor, and he does his best with the material at hand.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "material at hand", ensure it clearly refers to the specific resources or information being discussed to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "material at hand" when referring to future or potential resources; it should only describe what is currently available.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "material at hand" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It refers to the available resources, information, or items that are immediately accessible for use or consideration, as demonstrated in examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

25%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "material at hand" is a versatile noun phrase used to denote the resources or information that are currently available. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and very common usage across various contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and academic domains. While it maintains a neutral to professional register, it is crucial to use it accurately, referring only to present resources and avoiding ambiguity. Alternatives such as "available resources" or "existing data" can offer more specific connotations, depending on the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

available resources

This alternative focuses on the resources aspect, emphasizing the readily accessible items or tools.

relevant information

This specifies that the information is not just available but also pertinent to the task.

existing information

This option highlights facts and figures that are already known or accessible.

present resources

This alternative directly points to resources available in the immediate context.

data available

This phrase emphasizes the data aspect and its accessibility for analysis.

current data

This alternative is more specific, highlighting the factual information available for analysis.

applicable resources

This highlights the resources' suitability and readiness for the task.

existing tools

This option emphasizes the instruments or methods that are currently available and applicable.

on-hand materials

This alternative uses a slightly more informal tone and stresses immediate availability.

available evidence

This focuses on information used to support a claim or argument that is readily accessible.

FAQs

How can I use "material at hand" in a sentence?

You can use "material at hand" to refer to the resources, information, or tools that are currently available for a specific task. For example, "The scientist analyzed the material at hand to draw conclusions about the experiment".

What are some alternatives to "material at hand"?

Alternatives to "material at hand" include "available resources", "existing data", or "relevant information", depending on the context.

Is "material at hand" formal or informal?

"Material at hand" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though it often appears in more professional or academic settings.

When should I avoid using "material at hand"?

Avoid using "material at hand" when you need to be very specific about the type of resources you're discussing. In such cases, a more precise term like "available data" or "existing tools" might be preferable.