metal

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "metal" is correct and usable in written English, depending on the context.
You can use it when referring to a type of material, often in discussions about construction, art, music, or chemistry. Example: "The sculpture was made of metal, giving it a modern and industrial look."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

To climb in this fashion a climber will hammer a peg (or "piton") into a crack, wedge chocks – pieces of metal of various sizes and shapes – into it or place a skyhook (a very small grappling hook) over flakes of rock and edges.

The Guardian

The top floor of the Willis Tower, at 1,354 ft, is higher than the One World Trade Center's top floor at 1,268 ft. The debate was particularly charged because of the symbolic nature of the metal structure on One World Trade Center.

The Guardian - Arts

It has become the metal with which we are the most intimately acquainted; after all, we put it in our mouth almost every day.

The Guardian - Tech

Maybe he simply needs to let it all go for a bit, to listen to three hours of Norwegian speed metal, take his run-up back to the sight screen and run in and bowl as fast as he can, however he can, just as Bob Willis did at Headingly in 1981 when Mike Brearley suggested he forget about bowling no-balls, just run in and whang it down.

The Guardian - Sport

"That problem has been temporarily rectified by the local authority paying for a concrete specialist company to simply knock off the crumbling concrete and painting the exposed metal underneath".

The Guardian

The yellow, green, blue or pink metal structures snake over the busy streets that lead to the stations of the city's rail network.

The Guardian

This was the first time, however, that I'd heard someone say they wanted to copy Bilbao's building exactly, swooping metal sheet for swooping metal sheet.

The Guardian

From a Kurdish watchtower – reached via a metal ladder – a few civilian vehicles were visible in the far distance.

The Guardian

Last month, amidst a severe lightning storm during the Honda Classic golf tournament in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, a dozen caddies huddled at the back of an exposed, three-sided metal tent, trying not to get wet and hoping they hadn't just made the stupidest decision of their lives.

The Guardian - Sport

Born in India but brought up in London, they started in local scrap metal but branched out into trading tin and aluminium.

The Guardian - Business

His physical problems deteriorated further after he was out campaigning for a Cornish parliament in south-west England when the bus he was sitting on swerved and he hit his head on a metal rail.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about "metal", be specific about the type of metal if relevant (e.g., steel, aluminum, gold) to provide clarity and precision.

Common error

Avoid confusing "metal", which refers to a material, with "mettle", which describes courage or resilience. For example, use "the bridge is made of metal" and "the athlete showed great mettle".

Linguistic Context

Noun. The primary grammatical function of "metal" is as a noun, referring to a category of materials. Ludwig provides examples where it functions as a subject, object, or part of a prepositional phrase. Ludwig AI indicates a grammatically correct status.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "metal" is a versatile noun with broad applications, from describing physical materials to musical genres. As confirmed by Ludwig, the usage of "metal" is grammatically correct and common across diverse contexts like news, science, and business. When using "metal", consider the specific type of metal for clarity. Avoid confusing it with the homophone "mettle". For alternative expressions, consider "metallic element" or "alloy". Ludwig's examples showcase the breadth of contexts in which "metal" is employed, highlighting its descriptive purpose and consistent usage patterns.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

metallic element

More specific term, focusing on the elemental nature of metal.

alloy

A mixture of metals or a metal and another element.

scrap metal

Refers specifically to discarded or waste metal.

metallic substance

A more general term for anything composed of metal.

heavy metal

Denotes a specific genre of rock music.

precious metal

Emphasizes the high value and rarity of certain metals.

structural steel

Specifically refers to metal used in construction.

base metal

Refers to common and less valuable metals.

sheet metal

Metal formed into thin, flat pieces.

mineral ore

Natural rock or sediment that contains one or more valuable minerals, typically metals, that can be extracted, treated and sold at a profit.

FAQs

How is "metal" used in a sentence?

"Metal" can be used as a noun to refer to a substance (e.g., "The statue is made of metal") or as an adjective (e.g., "a metal box"). It can also refer to a music genre (e.g., "heavy metal").

What are some synonyms for "metal"?

Depending on the context, synonyms for "metal" include "alloy", "metallic element", or "metallic substance".

Is it correct to say "metals" instead of "metal"?

Yes, "metals" is the plural form of "metal" and is used when referring to multiple types of metal (e.g., "gold and silver are precious metals").

What is the difference between "metal" and "ore"?

"Metal" is the refined substance, while "ore" is the raw material from which metal is extracted. For example, iron is a metal extracted from iron ore.