materialistic things

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'materialistic things' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to possessions that are seen as having little to no intrinsic value but are sought after and accumulated for their monetary or social value. For example, "Andy was so obsessed with acquiring materialistic things that he ended up accumulating a huge amount of debt."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

I didn't have a lot of materialistic things.

The Guardian - Sport

They [young people] think if they don't have all these materialistic things, a nice car, they feel they are not worth anything.

Independent

Americans' methods of speaking English kept popping up as a criticism, and many of the writers felt the Americans were not up to Europe culturally, and were too concerned with "materialistic things".

The New York Times

"I could care less about all the materialistic things, like the art and museum and books," said one Daheshist, Mounir Murad, owner of a Virginia electronic-imaging company and author of a self-published book, "Daheshism and the Journey of Life".

The New York Times - Arts

They're not so much geared towards buying materialistic things.

TechCrunch

Actually, in Hinduism it is Mokshya, which means salvation, freedom from materialistic things.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

"Brooklyn doesn't need that whole materialistic thing".

The New York Times

Begin with non-materialistic things.

WikiHow

Whether impressively entrepreneurial or worryingly materialistic, one thing is certain: 14-year-olds have never dressed so well.

Vice

Jan decides to takes her along for a spot of nocturnal redistributive justice at the house of the materialistic toff, but things go wrong.

The Guardian - Film

"I got the impression that that character was supposed to be played by someone of a different ethnicity," says Perlman, "and when Guillermo took over, he thought how about if we went with a completely oversized Jew from New York who dressed like PT Barnum, a purveyor of all things materialistic?

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing values or priorities, use "materialistic things" to contrast with intangible aspects like relationships, experiences, or personal growth. This highlights the potential imbalance in focusing solely on possessions.

Common error

Avoid using "materialistic things" when you simply mean comfortable or practical items. "Materialistic things" implies a deeper attachment to possessions as status symbols or sources of happiness, not just for their utility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "materialistic things" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a verb or the focus of a prepositional phrase. Ludwig shows it's used to describe items valued for their material worth.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

35%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "materialistic things" is a noun phrase commonly used to describe items valued primarily for their material worth, often implying a critical perspective on consumerism. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides numerous examples demonstrating its usage across diverse sources. While the phrase carries a neutral register, it is most frequently found in news and media or Wiki articles. When using this term, be mindful of the potential negative connotations and consider whether alternatives like "material possessions" or "luxury items" might be more appropriate, depending on the intended nuance. To avoid misunderstandings, differentiate it with "material comforts", which does not imply a deeper attachment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Material possessions

Focuses specifically on the aspect of ownership and possession of material items.

Consumer goods

Highlights the aspect of being items intended for consumption or purchase.

Luxury items

Emphasizes the opulence and expensiveness associated with the material things.

Material wealth

Highlights the financial aspect and accumulation of riches in material form.

Acquired goods

Focuses on the act of obtaining or gaining material items.

Tangible assets

Highlights the physical and touchable nature of the items and that they possess a financial value.

Physical possessions

Emphasizes the concrete and physical nature of the items in question.

Material objects

A more general term that refers to anything that is made of matter and can be perceived by the senses.

Extrinsic values

Shifts the focus to the external values associated with material items rather than inherent worth.

Status symbols

Highlights how material items are used to signify social standing and prestige.

FAQs

How can I use "materialistic things" in a sentence?

You can use "materialistic things" to describe items that people value for their cost or status, rather than their usefulness or sentimental value. For example, "He was only interested in "materialistic things", like expensive cars and designer clothes."

What's a good alternative to "materialistic things"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "material possessions", "consumer goods", or "luxury items" to convey a similar meaning.

What is the difference between "material things" and "materialistic things"?

"Material things" is a broad term referring to physical items. "Materialistic things" specifically implies an excessive focus on acquiring and valuing possessions, often for status or superficial reasons.

Is it always negative to value "materialistic things"?

Not necessarily. While excessive materialism is often viewed negatively, appreciating well-made or beautiful objects isn't inherently wrong. The key is to maintain a healthy balance and not let "materialistic things" define your self-worth or happiness.