raw matter

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "raw matter" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to unprocessed materials or substances in various contexts, such as manufacturing or natural resources. For example, "The factory sources its raw matter from local suppliers." Alternative expressions include "raw materials" and "unprocessed materials."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Like life, it energized raw matter.

The New York Times

It revealed itself as a raw matter of public intimidation.

The New Yorker

She said that while they supplied the raw matter, she produced a work of art.

The New York Times - Arts

The core accumulates the lion's share of raw matter, while the rest swirls around in a vast orbiting disk.

The New Yorker

From a distance, his sculptures look like little more than lumps of raw matter, like moon rocks.

The New York Times - Arts

In failing to interrogate the raw matter of Kyle's book, it simply decides to print the legend instead.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Established producers had little taste for the raw subject matter.

The New Yorker

What were your interviewing techniques when dealing with such a delicate, raw subject matter?

Huffington Post

The avant-garde director made a series of movies produced by Andy Warhol, revolutionizing the cinema of the day, due to their raw subject matter, marginal characters, and unscripted scenes.

Vice

In fact, his first film, the low-budget and black-and-white (1977), though too grotesque and obscure for some, was quickly admired and discussed by critics, earning him a bigger budget for his next movie, (1980), which was praised for the raw treatment of sensitive subject matter that has defined much of the director's work.

Britannica

Raw materials matter less than brands: people buy into cultural resonance and status.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In artistic or literary analysis, use this phrase to distinguish the 'stuff' of reality from the finished work of art.

Common error

Avoid using "raw matter" when referring to specific commercial supplies like timber or iron ore in a business context; in these cases, "raw materials" is the standard industry term.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "raw matter" acts as a noun phrase consisting of the adjective 'raw' (unprocessed) and the noun 'matter' (physical substance). According to Ludwig AI, it serves as a foundational descriptor for substances in their most basic form.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

Based on the linguistic data from Ludwig, "raw matter" is a versatile and sophisticated phrase used to describe the fundamental state of physical and abstract things. It is particularly prevalent in News & Media and Scientific contexts, where it often refers to the basic ingredients of life, the universe or even an artist's inspiration. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and high frequency in elite publications. When writing, remember that while it can be a synonym for "raw material", it carries a more philosophical or scientific weight, suggesting something that is yet to be given a definitive purpose or structure.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

raw material

more common in manufacturing and industrial contexts

primary substance

emphasizes the foundational or original nature of the element

crude matter

suggests a more unrefined or natural state

unprocessed material

focuses on the lack of previous treatment or industrial handling

subject matter

shifts focus to the content or topic of a discussion or work

base material

refers to the bottom layer or fundamental ingredient

unrefined substance

highlights that the item has not been purified

original material

points to the source before any alterations were made

raw data

specifically refers to information before analysis or processing

organic matter

specifically identifies biological or natural origin

FAQs

How do I use "raw matter" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe unprocessed physical elements or abstract foundations, such as "The sculptor looked at the clay as a heap of "raw matter" awaiting a form".

What is the difference between "raw matter" and "raw material"?

While often interchangeable, "raw material" is typically used for industrial or commercial goods, whereas "raw matter" is more common in scientific, philosophical or artistic contexts.

Is "raw matter" a formal phrase?

Yes, it is highly formal and frequently appears in scientific journals and high-end journalism such as "The New Yorker" and "Nature".

Can "raw matter" refer to biological waste?

Yes, in science and engineering contexts, it often refers to substances like "fecal matter" or "organic matter" before they are treated.