material of history

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "material of history" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the elements or subjects that constitute historical study or narrative. Example: "The artifacts discovered at the site are considered the material of history, shedding light on the lives of ancient civilizations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"They are the raw material of history.

The New York Times

The raw material of history appears to be heading for the cloud.

The New York Times

Still, you don't have to know the subtext of French literary relationships to find the collected raw material of history compelling, or in some case repelling.

The New York Times - Arts

It's the stain that runs through the raw material of history – oral and written recollections of the violence enacted against Indigenous people that cannot be defined away merely as colonial transgression.

The Guardian - Opinion

The book, "Listening In: The Secret White House Recordings of John F. Kennedy," with a foreword by his daughter, Caroline Kennedy, and an introduction by Ted Widmer, a presidential historian at Brown University, offers "the raw material of history," said Thomas Putnam, the director of the Kennedy Library.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

"Instead of being emotional, we must read documents, the raw materials of history, which can be obtained easily.

The New York Times

The objective is to make the raw materials of history available to the widest audience, allowing users to ask their own questions and draw their own conclusions about the Civil War by studying one Northern county and one Southern county in detail.

The New York Times - Tech

They are the very materials of history.

Huffington Post

It would be "an easy task," Millay wrote, given enough "simple material, clean of history," nothing like a farmhouse's "old hair and lime".

The New York Times - Arts

It enables us all to join in evaluating the raw material of Viking history.

The Guardian - Arts

From the unpromising material of natural history, long seen as the Cinderella of biological science, they fashioned an ideology as powerful and transformative as any philosophy or religion before it.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "material of history", ensure the context clearly indicates that you are referring to the primary sources, data, or elements from which historical accounts are constructed. For instance, "The letters and diaries served as the raw "material of history" for the biographer."

Common error

Avoid using "material of history" as a general term for any historical information. This phrase specifically refers to the foundational elements or sources used to construct historical narratives, not simply facts or events from the past.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "material of history" functions as a noun phrase, specifically identifying the foundational elements, sources, or data that historians use to construct narratives and interpretations of the past. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "material of history" correctly refers to the foundational elements or sources from which historical accounts are constructed. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While the phrase is relatively rare, appearing mostly in news and media, scientific, and encyclopedia contexts, it is well-suited for both formal and informal writing. When using it, ensure that the context clarifies that you are referencing the evidentiary basis of historical narratives, as opposed to general historical information. Consider using alternatives like "historical source material" or "substance of history" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

substance of history

Replaces "material" with "substance", offering a more abstract term.

historical source material

Focuses on the source documents used for historical analysis, which is a slightly narrower focus.

content of history

Focuses on the information and subject matter of history.

primary historical evidence

Highlights the direct and original evidence used in historical research.

historical raw data

Emphasizes the unanalyzed, initial form of historical information.

foundational elements of history

Shifts the focus to the basic components that make up historical study.

core components of history

Similar to foundational elements, but emphasizes the essential parts.

building blocks of history

Uses a metaphor to describe the fundamental parts that constitute historical narratives.

historical information resources

Highlights the role of the information used in history.

historical data sets

More technical, referring to organized collections of historical data.

FAQs

How can I use "material of history" in a sentence?

Use "material of history" to refer to the primary sources or foundational elements used to construct historical accounts. For example, "Archaeological findings often provide invaluable "material of history" for understanding past civilizations."

What is the difference between "historical records" and "material of history"?

"Historical records" is a broader term encompassing any documented information from the past. "Material of history" specifically refers to the raw or foundational elements historians use to create narratives and interpretations.

What are some alternatives to "material of history"?

You can use alternatives such as "historical source material", "primary historical evidence", or "substance of history" depending on the context.

Is "material of history" a formal or informal phrase?

"Material of history" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts when discussing historical analysis or sources. Its appropriateness depends more on the overall tone and audience than the phrase itself.