on a material level

USAGE SUMMARY

"on a material level" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the physical or tangible aspects of something, as opposed to the abstract or intangible aspects. For example: "On a material level, the renovations have been a great success, but on an emotional level, many of the changes have been difficult to accept."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

She makes me feel that anything is possible – not on a material level, but on a fundamental one.

Independent

Following various government initiatives since then, the role is now more widely acknowledged, but I believe little has changed on a material level.

The Guardian

Nor do they want for anything on a material level – no guarantee of happiness, but handy in matters such as shopping around for a supportive school.

Independent

On a material level, Mr. Gibson is onto something here: the hide softens the light, making the sculptures look less like Flavins and more like ravers' glowsticks.

The New York Times - Arts

"On a material level, they are well looked after, but in terms of giving them guidance and inculcating them with values and life-skills, I saw very little of that in care homes I worked in," he added.

The Guardian - Books

Yet what Judd got from painting was essential: not only the four-cornered volume of space, but also an understanding of painting as a discipline that produced deliberately hand-wrought objects in which every visual molecule counted and where innovation occurred, foremost, on a material level.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Thirdly, in the event that the state should deal with religious institutions, it should do so from the outside, in a neutral manner so to speak, on a purely material level, and with the sole objective of creating a public space where those who are religious, atheist or agnostic can all have an equal chance to meet with their followers and provide them with a message of their choosing.

Huffington Post

On a much more material level, I've got a savings goal.

Huffington Post

Still, when mice selectively overexpress IGF-I in osteoblasts, the deleterious effects of a low-protein diet on bone material level properties are minimized.

BioMed Research International

In building engineering, impact loading and other accidental loads are mostly taken into consideration by measures on the structural level rather than on the material level, the latter one is even seldom explored.

Brittle Matrix Composites 9

Thermoelastic cooling is among one of the alternative candidates, and have demonstrated promising performance improvement potential on the material level.

International Journal of Refrigeration

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "on a material level" to clarify that you're discussing the concrete, measurable aspects of a subject, rather than its abstract or emotional qualities. This is especially useful in technical, business, or analytical contexts where objectivity is important.

Common error

Avoid using "on a material level" in casual conversation or informal writing. The phrase can sound overly formal or stilted in contexts where simpler language would be more appropriate. Consider using phrases like "practically speaking" or "in real terms" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on a material level" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to specify the scope of an action or state. It indicates that the focus is on the physical and tangible aspects. Ludwig's examples highlight how it qualifies statements across various domains.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "on a material level" functions as an adverbial phrase that specifies consideration of the tangible, physical aspects of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and suitable for use in writing. While "on a material level" is most commonly found in News & Media and Science, its neutral to formal register makes it suitable for a range of analytical contexts. Be mindful of the potential for sounding overly formal in casual settings and considering alternatives such as "in tangible terms" or "practically speaking" may improve clarity and tone. Ludwig's examples and analysis provide valuable guidance for effectively incorporating this phrase into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

from a physical standpoint

Focuses on the physical aspect but emphasizes a specific viewpoint or perspective.

from a tangible perspective

Highlights the concrete nature and viewpoint but emphasizes a specific viewpoint or perspective.

in tangible terms

Highlights the concrete and measurable aspects, useful for clarifying abstract concepts.

in terms of physicality

Specifically addresses the physical existence or form of something.

regarding physical properties

More technical, directly addressing the observable characteristics of an object or substance.

concerning concrete aspects

Emphasizes the real, solid elements, often used when contrasting abstract considerations.

with respect to substance

Focuses on the underlying matter or composition, common in scientific contexts.

in practical terms

Shifts the focus to usability and real-world application, less about the intrinsic nature.

considering the physical

Presents the physical aspects as a point of consideration.

on a substantive level

Highlights the importance and reality of material considerations.

FAQs

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

Use "on a material level" to specify that you are considering the tangible, physical aspects of something, as opposed to the emotional, intellectual, or spiritual aspects. For example, "On a material level, the renovations were successful, but the disruption was difficult."

What does "on a material level" mean?

The phrase "on a material level" refers to the tangible, physical, or concrete aspects of something. It contrasts with abstract, emotional, or intellectual considerations.

Which is more appropriate: "on a material level" or "in practical terms"?

While both phrases relate to real-world considerations, "on a material level" emphasizes physical or tangible aspects, while "in practical terms" focuses on usability and real-world application. Choose the phrase that best fits the specific context.

What are some alternatives to "on a material level"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "on a material level" include "in tangible terms", "from a physical standpoint", or "in concrete terms".