playing material

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "playing material" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to performance, entertainment, or education, referring to materials or resources used for playing or engaging in an activity. Example: "The teacher provided various playing material to help the students learn through interactive games."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

You can start to take the virtuosity of Cuban musicians for granted sometimes, especially when they're playing material that binds itself in technique.

The New York Times - Arts

His interest in atmospheric post-rock shows in his latest band, Angels of Light; with friends he'll be playing material from the group's new album tonight.

The New York Times

But the band are playing material from his album Light Is Calling, where the studio itself becomes an instrument, and any input becomes welcome.

The Guardian - Music

In his band this weekend are the saxophonists Ralph Bowen and Seamus Blake, as well as the bassist Ugonna Okegwo and the drummer Vincent Ector; Mr. Evans will be playing material from a new album, "Meant to Shine" (Palmetto).

The New York Times

Playing material largely from 2014's The Best Day his band (which also consists of Sonic Youth's Steve Shelley and My Bloody Valentine's Debbie Googe) go from ambient, restrained guitar experimentations to full-throttle rock-pop, as encapsulated in the wonderfully elongated 'Speak to the Wild'.

Independent

A strong tenor and soprano saxophonist who got his start in New York playing regularly at Smalls before moving on to work with Tom Harrell, Andrew Hill and Dave Douglas, Mr. Tardy has a hollering, bottom-of-the-chest sound; he'll probably be playing material from his new album, "Abundance," on Palmetto records.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

There are a lot of playing materials at the school.

Unicef

Children in one school were rewarded with playing materials for the entire class (e.g., soft balls, footballs).

Child Psychiatry and Human Development

"We need blackboards, exercise and text books, chairs for the children to sit on, uniforms, playing materials," he said, ticking off his list on his fingers.

Unicef

"It's also good for actors to play material far removed from themselves.

The Guardian

A big pull is Sufjan Stevens's only UK festival show, where he will play material from his most-recent album Carrie & Lowell.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing activities involving children, use "playing material" to refer to toys, games, or educational resources that facilitate learning through play.

Common error

Avoid using "playing material" when you intend to refer to general "play material". "Playing material" suggests the act of using something, whereas "play material" refers to the items themselves.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "playing material" functions primarily as a verb phrase followed by a noun, describing the action of interacting with or performing using specific resources. Ludwig AI suggests it's grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "playing material" is a grammatically correct expression used to describe the act of interacting with or performing using specific resources, be it musical, theatrical, or educational. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. While fairly common, it's important to distinguish between "playing material", which describes the activity, and "play material", which refers to the resources themselves. Its usage spans across various contexts, including news, business, and science, but it is most often found in news and media. When writing, ensure that the context aligns with the intended meaning of using resources, and consider alternatives like "performing music" or "utilizing resources" depending on the nuance you aim to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

performing music

Focuses specifically on musical performance, implying a more artistic and structured activity than simply "playing material".

engaging with content

Refers to interacting with content in a way that stimulates interest and participation, such as reading or watching.

practicing repertoire

Relates specifically to rehearsing or practicing a set of pieces in music or theater, implying a degree of mastery.

utilizing resources

Highlights the act of making use of available resources, applicable to various fields beyond entertainment or education.

interacting with toys

Specifically refers to engaging with toys for amusement, commonly used in contexts related to children and play.

executing performance

Emphasizes the act of carrying out a performance, either theatrical or musical, indicating a more formal setting.

employing tools

Emphasizes the use of specific tools or instruments for a task, shifting the focus from the material itself to the instruments used.

using equipment

Specifically points to utilizing various pieces of equipment to achieve a goal or conduct an activity.

manipulating objects

Focuses on the physical handling and altering of objects, suggesting a more hands-on approach.

working with supplies

Indicates the use of supplies or provisions for a particular task, applicable in different situations such as crafting or construction.

FAQs

How can "playing material" be used in a sentence?

"Playing material" can refer to engaging with musical pieces, theatrical scripts, or using resources for interactive games. For instance, "The band is playing material from their new album tonight."

What is a good alternative to "playing material"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "performing music", "utilizing resources", or "engaging with content".

What does "playing material" mean in a musical context?

In a musical context, "playing material" often means performing songs or musical pieces, especially new or recent compositions. It can refer to both rehearsal and live performance.

Is there a difference between "playing material" and "play material"?

Yes. "Playing material" describes the act of performing or using something, while "play material" refers to the objects or resources used for play. The latter is common in childhood education contexts.