material necessities

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "material necessities" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the basic physical needs required for survival or well-being, such as food, clothing, and shelter. Example: "In times of crisis, it is essential to ensure that everyone has access to their material necessities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Between 1996 and 2006 the number of material necessities in our lives grew substantially.

The New York Times - Magazine

Does poverty mean deprivation of the most basic material necessities, such as food, shelter and health care?

The Washington Post

This America is the habitat of millions of people who have food and material necessities for their bodies, culture and education for their minds, freedom and human dignity for their spirits.

The New York Times

Individuals outside of the city-state are not self-sufficient, because they depend on the community not only for material necessities but also for education and moral habituation.

SEP

She argues that the trillion Internet connected devices expected to exist by 2013 will enable us to return to a "simple life" in which we will be emancipated from many of the supposed material "necessities" of the 20th century industrial era.

TechCrunch

After providing for the material necessities of life, technology would free us, increasingly, for better things.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

utopians concentrated on the elmination of material necessity.

The New Yorker

WAS women's behavior the result of conditioning or material necessity?

The New York Times - Arts

"One of the things that's compelling this is absolute material necessity," said Ken Walsh, a professor of criminal justice at San Francisco State University.

The New York Times

Later, while standing in an airport queue with dozens of migrants trying to enter the UK, she thinks to herself: "I'm a fake: a middle-class over-educated Polish girl who is here seduced by the cultural lure of the west, rather than led by material necessity".

The Guardian - Books

She claims that the social is the realm of labor, of biological and material necessity, of the reproduction of our condition of existence.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing economic disparities or poverty, use "material necessities" to highlight the lack of access to fundamental resources like food, shelter, and clothing.

Common error

Avoid using "material necessities" in casual conversations or informal writing. Simpler terms like "basic needs" or "essentials" are often more appropriate and less formal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "material necessities" primarily functions as a noun phrase. It refers to the tangible items and resources that are essential for human survival and well-being. Ludwig AI provides examples showing it used in discussions about poverty, socialism, and technological advancement.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Huffington Post

10%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "material necessities" refers to the basic physical needs for survival and well-being, like food, shelter, and clothing. Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically correct and usable. Its usage is most frequent in News & Media and Scientific contexts, with a neutral formality. While alternatives like "basic needs" and "essential goods" exist, "material necessities" is particularly useful when discussing economic or social issues related to the access to fundamental resources. The phrase is more suitable for formal writing or discussions, and less so for casual conversation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Basic needs

Focuses on the fundamental requirements for survival, similar to material necessities but broader.

Essential goods

Highlights the importance of specific products necessary for daily life.

Necessary resources

Emphasizes the availability of resources needed for sustenance and well-being.

Fundamental requirements

Stresses the basic conditions that must be met, similar to material needs.

Life's essentials

A more general term referring to the core components of a comfortable existence.

Physical needs

Highlights requirements relating to the body and physical well-being.

Basic commodities

Focuses on essential items that are traded or readily available.

Essential supplies

Highlights the provision of important items for a particular purpose or situation.

Required provisions

Emphasizes the act of providing essential items to someone or a group.

Subsistence needs

Specifically refers to what is needed to maintain life at a minimal level.

FAQs

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

You can use "material necessities" to refer to basic physical needs such as food, shelter, and clothing. For example: "Access to "material necessities" should be a fundamental human right."

What are some alternatives to "material necessities"?

Alternatives include "basic needs", "essential goods", or "necessary resources", depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "material necessities"?

It's appropriate to use "material necessities" in formal discussions, academic papers, or when discussing economic or social issues related to poverty and access to resources.

What's the difference between "material necessities" and "material wants"?

"Material necessities" refer to essential goods and services needed for survival, while "material wants" are desires or non-essential items that improve the quality of life but are not strictly necessary.