none of the materials

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "none of the materials" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a situation where not a single item from a set of materials is applicable or available. Example: "After reviewing the project requirements, I found that none of the materials provided were suitable for our needs."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

None of the materials demonstrated a direct connection between the Oregon branch and Al Qaeda.

The New Yorker

"None of the materials that I collected for Mr. Li were state secrets," she said during a 35-minute interview.

The New York Times

None of the materials she recommends are too specialist – you can pick them up in your local art store – and if you start this tonight, your costume will be ready for the weekend.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

None of the materials were usable in a nuclear bomb, but the uranium could have been further enriched to make it useful in a weapon, said Bryan Wilkes, a spokesman for the National Nuclear Security Administration, part of the Energy Department.

The New York Times

None of the materials that Simbol plans to produce are so-called rare earths, but a study by the American Physical Society in February identified lithium and zinc as likely to be very important in the new energy economy of the future.

The New York Times

In none of the materials do the postthreshold strength/indentation-load data extrapolate unconditionally into the subthreshold region.

Acta Materialia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

And none of the material is truly searchable.

The New York Times

None of the material from that chapter appeared in The Times.

The New York Times

They said precautions would be taken to ensure that none of the material became airborne.

The New York Times

Almost none of the material quoted by The Washington Post was in his book.

The New York Times

DMZ was conceived as an outlet for writers & composers & none of the material is "improvisatory".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "none of the materials", ensure the context clearly defines which materials you are referring to. Lack of clarity can lead to confusion.

Common error

Avoid using a singular verb after "none of the materials". Since "materials" is plural, the verb should also be plural (e.g., "none of the materials were", not "none of the materials was").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "none of the materials" functions as a determiner phrase, specifically indicating that no item within a defined group of materials meets a particular condition or possesses a specific quality. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in various contexts, highlighting a lack of suitability, presence, or effect.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

46%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "none of the materials" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase, particularly in scientific and news contexts. According to Ludwig, the phrase indicates that no item from a defined set possesses a specific quality or meets a particular condition. It’s essential to use a plural verb and ensure clarity regarding the materials being referenced. Alternatives include phrases like "no materials at all" and "not a single material". The phrase maintains a neutral to formal register and is widely accepted in both written and spoken English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

no materials at all

Emphasizes the complete absence of materials.

not a single material

Highlights the individual absence of each material.

zero materials present

Uses a numerical value to indicate the absence of materials.

there were no materials

Changes the sentence structure to state the absence of materials.

no material was available

Focuses on the availability of the materials.

all materials were absent

Highlights the absence of every material.

materials were completely lacking

Emphasizes the deficiency of the materials.

there wasn't any material

Uses a contraction to express the absence of any material.

no materials could be found

Focuses on the inability to locate any materials.

the materials were nonexistent

States that the materials do not exist.

FAQs

How do I use "none of the materials" in a sentence?

You can use "none of the materials" to indicate that not a single item from a specific set of materials is suitable, present, or applicable. For example: "None of the materials were usable in a nuclear bomb".

What's a good alternative to "none of the materials"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "no materials at all", "not a single material", or "zero materials present".

Is it grammatically correct to say "none of the material was"?

Yes, if you are referring to "material" in a non-countable sense (referring to a substance). If you mean 'materials' as in countable physical items, the grammatically correct form is "none of the materials were".

What is the difference between "none of the materials" and "no materials"?

"None of the materials" refers to a specific set of materials that have been previously mentioned or are understood in context. "No materials" is a more general statement indicating the absence of any materials whatsoever.