materials

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "materials" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to substances or items used for a specific purpose, such as in education, construction, or manufacturing. Example: "The teacher provided all the necessary materials for the science project, including lab equipment and worksheets."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A responsible government would surely now redesign the application forms for opening a free school so that applicants' personal information isn't strewn all the way through it, and see to it that materials are redacted and released quickly and cheaply.

The Guardian

Puppets would be made from available materials, such as old clothes or plastic and the messages presented during public events organised by the young people benefiting from Connecting Classrooms.

The Guardian

Novak told the undercover employees that he took classified materials from Fort Bragg and would share the materials with them, the document said.

The Guardian

A senior Russian government official – who spoke to Reuters – said separately that Russia has started supplying grain, equipment and construction materials to Iran in exchange for crude oil under a barter deal.

The Guardian

Britain was falling in love with coffee just as Adam Fairweather was exploring ideas for new products and materials.

The Guardian

My interest is that we can use materials that have a perceived value to them, to communicate and get people excited about the idea of sustainability and social change and environmental management".

The Guardian

After a short interval, another pair appeared, and constructed a habitation, chiefly with materials purloined from the other nests.

The Guardian

"Materials," it continues, "can vary from a more generic render (which can be plain or coloured to give variety), or locally found materials or bricks can be used".

The Guardian - Arts

A Tehran resident who works for an electronics company said that many businesses which rely on goods and materials from abroad would be pleased with the outcome of the talks.

The Guardian

"What would be the unique value of personally carrying another copy of materials onward?

The Guardian

The planting materials and fertiliser distributed through these buildings will help local farmers increase their yields.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing sustainable practices, consider using "materials" that are recycled, renewable, or locally sourced.

Common error

Avoid using the word "materials" when more specific terms like "equipment" or "supplies" would provide clearer information. Vague use can reduce clarity.

Linguistic Context

The word "materials" functions primarily as a noun, referring to substances or components used for a specific purpose. Ludwig AI's examples illustrate its use in contexts ranging from construction and manufacturing to education and environmental sustainability. The word serves to identify the tangible elements required for various activities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

86%

Travel

6%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Science

2%

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "materials" is a versatile noun denoting substances or components used for specific purposes. As Ludwig AI indicates, its usage spans diverse contexts, from construction to education and sustainability. Grammatically correct and very common, "materials" is primarily found in news and media, with neutral formality. When writing, it's best to be specific and avoid vague uses, opting for alternatives like "supplies" or "components" when appropriate. To enhance clarity, providing quantities and types is recommended, particularly when discussing project components. The semantic alternatives can be used to fine-tune your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

supplies

Refers to resources needed for a task or project.

resources

Indicates available assets, including physical substances.

components

Highlights the individual parts that make up a whole.

ingredients

Specifically refers to items used in a mixture, like cooking or chemistry.

elements

Focuses on the fundamental constituents of something.

substances

Implies chemical or physical entities.

stock

Suggests items available for use or sale.

fabrics

Relates specifically to textiles or cloths.

textiles

Another term for cloth or woven material.

equipment

Signifies the tools needed to accomplish something

FAQs

How do you use "materials" in a sentence?

"Materials" is a plural noun that refers to substances or items used for a specific purpose. For example: "The construction of the house required durable "building materials"."

What can I say instead of "materials"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "supplies", "resources", or "components".

Is it correct to use "material" instead of "materials"?

"Material" is the singular form of "materials". Use "material" when referring to a single substance or item, and "materials" when referring to multiple items.

What's the difference between "materials" and "resources"?

"Materials" typically refers to physical items needed for a task, while "resources" can include both physical and non-physical assets, such as time or information.