material on hand

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "material on hand" is correct and commonly used in written English.
You can use it when referring to physical objects or resources that are readily available or easily accessible. Example: The construction project was delayed due to a shortage of building supplies, but luckily we had enough material on hand to complete the first phase.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

In one key moment, Mark needs to make a small fire — and the only combustible material on hand is a small wooden crucifix that one of his cohorts, Martinez Michael Peñaa) left behind, and he burns it.

The New Yorker

Even if bags of pre-mixed potting soil are purchased, I like to keep a few bags of some type of mineral aggregate and organic material on hand.

The New York Times - Arts

Nonetheless, simply having enough material on hand to make a single bomb is bound to make a difference in how Iran sees the world.

The New York Times

He says he will then bid on other brick contracts and also have this "most useful modular material" on hand for other artworks.

The New York Times - Magazine

While you may not be able to get your original Instagram account back, having the material on hand can be useful if you decide to move your business to another social media service instead.

The New York Times - Tech

The material on hand ranges from accidental drawings — that is, unfinished illuminations that inspired a new emphasis on line — to exquisite efforts like a breathtaking ink rendering of a facade of Strasbourg Cathedral from around 1260.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Total cost… I'm going to just ballpark at around $40-5040-50ou don't have materials on-hand.

TechCrunch

Driven primarily by an opportunity to develop life-like materials on one hand, and sustainable technologies on the other, several successful approaches to repair mechanically damaged materials have been explored.

Progress in Polymer Science

Nanoparticles are mesostructures with some unique properties compared to bulk materials on one hand and atomic or molecular structures on the other.

Nanoscale Research Letters

The constraints of this model actually pertains to the buyer's annual demand and quality of receiving materials, on one hand, and the suppliers' allocable capacity, on the other.

Journal of Industrial Engineering International

"Clearly, there are now more donated materials on hand than will ever be used".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing project readiness, explicitly state what "material on hand" includes to avoid ambiguity. For example: "We have all the necessary lumber and tools – the "material on hand" – to start building the deck."

Common error

Avoid using "material on hand" without specifying what materials you are referring to. Be specific to ensure clarity for your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "material on hand" functions as a noun phrase, often used as a prepositional complement. It modifies verbs or clauses to indicate the availability of resources for a particular purpose, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Wiki

24%

Academia

18%

Less common in

Science

16%

Formal & Business

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "material on hand" is a grammatically sound and relatively common way to indicate that resources are readily available. Ludwig's AI confirms this, with examples spanning from news articles to academic papers and wikis. While versatile, it's best practice to specify what "material on hand" refers to for clarity, avoiding vague references. Alternatives like "resources available" or "supplies at disposal" can be used for variety, but the core meaning remains consistent: preparedness and accessibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

resources available

Focuses on the availability of resources in general, rather than specific materials.

supplies at disposal

Emphasizes the ability to use the supplies as needed.

equipment accessible

Highlights the accessibility of equipment for immediate use.

inventory in stock

Refers to items held in inventory, ready for use or sale.

assets on location

Highlights that assets are readily present at specific location.

goods in possession

Focuses on the fact of owning goods and having them readily available.

items present

Simply states the presence of items, without specifying their use.

stock readily available

Highlights that the stock is accessible and easy to use.

provisions at the ready

Emphasizes the prepared state of provisions for immediate needs.

components available

Refers to the availability of components that could be used for certain scope.

FAQs

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

Use "material on hand" to indicate that you have the necessary resources readily available. For example: "Having the right "material on hand" saved us time and money on the project."

What's a good alternative to "material on hand"?

Alternatives include "resources available", "supplies at disposal", or "equipment accessible" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "materials on hand" or "material on hand"?

"Material on hand" is generally used when referring to a collection of different materials, while "materials on hand" explicitly emphasizes multiple items. Both forms are acceptable, but "material on hand" is more common.

What does "material on hand" imply about project planning?

Having the "material on hand" suggests thorough planning and preparedness, indicating that the necessary resources are already available, reducing potential delays.