material means

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "material means" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase is used to refer to the physical resources available to someone to help them accomplish a task. For example, "With the proper material means, I'm confident I can finish the project on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Trying to meet nonmaterial needs by material means is stupid and futile.

The New Yorker

We will have to accommodate to a new sense of what integrity of this material means.

The New York Times - Arts

We have been very present even though our material means are limited".

The New York Times

Fugitive dust material means copper concentrate, dross, reverts, slag, speiss, or other solid copper-bearing materials.

Cornell University

Algeria's ambassador to France, Mohammed Ghoualmi, said in a radio interview, "We need technical means, material means.

The New York Times

This is what happened to us" — before spinning more obliquely into what the material means to them.

The New Yorker

The term "material" means documentary material, tangible things, written reports or answers to questions, and transcripts of oral testimony.

Cornell University

From this freedom comes widespread economic opportunity, a cosmopolitan respect for the rights of strangers, and both the willingness and the material means to be generous toward others.

The New York Times

For the devoted actor, rightness of cause will always win against apparent material advantage as long as the cause has the minimal material means to endure.

The Guardian - Opinion

The sheer volume of the material means that many of the old, high vaulted rooms are crammed with objects that are haphazardly displayed.

The New York Times - Travel

Tuning material composition for performance allows for the integration of multifaceted functionality and embedded responsiveness within minimal material means.

Computer-Aided Design

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "material means", ensure the context clearly indicates whether you are referring to financial, physical, or a combination of resources. For clarity, specify the type of means if necessary.

Common error

Avoid assuming "material means" solely refers to finances; it can encompass physical resources, tools, and supplies. Clearly define the scope to prevent miscommunication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "material means" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a preposition or verb. It signifies the tangible resources or assets available. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a phrase referring to the physical resources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Academia

29%

Science

22%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "material means" is a grammatically sound and versatile term used to describe the tangible resources at one's disposal. As Ludwig AI points out, it encompasses physical assets, financial resources, and other instrumental tools necessary to achieve a goal. Its prevalence across diverse sources—from news outlets like The New York Times and The Guardian to academic institutions like Cornell University—underscores its broad applicability. While alternatives such as "financial resources" or "tangible assets" may be more precise in certain contexts, "material means" remains a useful and commonly understood expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

financial resources

Focuses specifically on monetary assets rather than broader physical or tangible items.

economic resources

Emphasizes the economic aspect of the resources, often in a broader context.

tangible assets

Highlights the physical and measurable nature of the possessions.

available resources

Focuses on the accessibility and readiness of the resources for immediate use.

physical resources

Specifically refers to tangible and non-monetary resources.

practical resources

Suggests resources that are useful and applicable in a real-world scenario.

necessary provisions

Implies essential supplies or items needed for a specific purpose or survival.

requisite supplies

Highlights the required or essential nature of the materials.

capital assets

Focuses on resources considered as capital, contributing to wealth or production.

funding availability

Highlights the condition of having money available for a project or activity.

FAQs

How do I use "material means" in a sentence?

You can use "material means" to refer to the physical resources available for a task. For example, "The project failed due to a lack of "material means"".

What's a good alternative to "material means"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "material means" include "financial resources", "tangible assets", or "available resources".

Is "material means" formal or informal?

"Material means" is generally considered neutral to formal and can be used in academic, professional, and journalistic contexts.

What does "material means" refer to?

"Material means" generally refer to the tangible resources, possessions, and financial assets available to an individual or organization.