material left

USAGE SUMMARY

'material left' is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used when referring to something that has been used up, removed, or otherwise depleted in some way. For example, you might say: "We ran out of material, so there was nothing left to work with."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The cut-out material left over fascinated her.

The Guardian - Arts

The material left over can also be used as fertiliser.

Independent

Anthony's raw material left no doubt he was a partisan for Corbyn.

The Guardian - Opinion

But the quantity of the material left us with a series of questions.

The Guardian

They read almost like scrap material left on the factory floor.

The New York Times

But with plenty of extra material left over, UNKLE is now recording another album.

Independent

When a star forms, there is always some material left over.

Harvard University

To get the hydrogen, ZeaChem uses material left over from the process that converts biomass into sugars.

MIT Technology Review

This article was amended on Friday 7 December 2012 to include extra material left out of the original story.

The Guardian

The site would store low- and intermediate-level nuclear waste, such as material left over from medical procedures.

The Guardian

Copper tailing is the solid waste material left during the purification of the precious copper from the copper ores.

Construction and Building Materials

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "material left", ensure the context clearly specifies what process or event caused the material to be remaining. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "material left" as a vague descriptor. Instead of saying "there was material left", specify the nature of the material, such as "there was chemical residue left" or "there was construction material left" to provide more precise information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "material left" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "material" acts as the noun and "left" as an adjective describing the state of the material. Ludwig examples show its descriptive use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

33%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "material left" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe the remaining substance after a process. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. The phrase is versatile, appearing in scientific, news, and academic contexts, with a neutral register suitable for diverse audiences. When using this phrase, clarity is key, and specifying the nature of the material and the process that led to its being left over enhances understanding. Consider alternatives like "remaining substance" or "residual matter" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

leftover substance

Indicates the portion that remains unused or unconsumed.

remaining substance

Emphasizes the leftover physical matter.

residual matter

Highlights the matter that persists after a process.

excess material

Focuses on the surplus or overabundance of the material.

surplus material

Highlights the material that is extra or not needed.

remaining amount

Highlights the quantity of the material that still exists.

unused portion

Focuses on the part of the material that was not utilized.

residual component

Emphasizes the element that's a byproduct or remains after processing.

remaining inventory

Refers specifically to stock or supplies that have not been used.

waste product

Focuses on the material discarded as a result of a process.

FAQs

How can I use "material left" in a sentence?

You can use "material left" to describe residue or excess after a process, such as "After the surgery, some "tissue remained"" or "The factory had a lot of "waste product" from the manufacturing process".

What's a simple way to define "material left"?

"Material left" refers to the substance or matter remaining after a process, consumption, or removal. It signifies the "residual matter" or "remaining amount".

What words are similar to "material left"?

Similar terms include "remaining substance", "excess material", or "leftover substance". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "material left" formal or informal?

The phrase "material left" is generally neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. The formality depends more on the surrounding language and the situation. See in Ludwig examples how it's usually used.