rough material

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rough material" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to materials that are not smooth or refined in texture. For example, "The dress was made of rough material which felt scratchy against my skin."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedia

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

It serves the musician as rough material for his own composition.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It is unlikely to bring such plaudits this time; Hannah is grappling with some rough material.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Later they hurled themselves against a wall covered with rough material that crackled when touched.

The New York Times - Arts

The purpose was to entertain grownups, during or after a hard day's work, and rough material was part of the entertainment.

The New Yorker

Sometimes they are like bridesmaids giving one of those dual wedding toasts: paper in one hand and microphone in the other, taking turns, laughing at each other's lines, dauntless in the service of rough material.

The New Yorker

The tapes — 27 reels running a total of more than 13 hours — are filled with Christie's painstaking dictation of her life story, rough material recorded in the early 1960s that eventually made up her autobiography, published posthumously in 1977.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

These are hardy, sometimes rough materials, and many of them feel anything but luxurious.

The New York Times

The airy space of tastefully rough materials draws the eclectic crowd of a sophisticated neighborhood bar.

The New York Times - Travel

Such unlooked-for artists learn to make do with their situations, with the rough materials at hand.

The New York Times - Books

Orkidstudio's aesthetic comes from the rough materials and construction techniques they, of necessity, use and the strong light and shadow of tropical climates.

The Guardian - Arts

It gives me such a sense of satisfaction to take rough materials and use tools and ingenuity to turn them into a table or a canoe or a salad fork.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a surface, specify the type of "rough material" to give a more vivid impression. For example, instead of saying "the wall was made of rough material", try "the wall was made of rough concrete".

Common error

Avoid using "rough material" as a catch-all term. Be precise about the texture—is it bumpy, coarse, granular, or something else? The more specific you are, the clearer your description will be.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rough material" functions primarily as a descriptive term, modifying a noun to indicate its texture or composition. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase adheres to standard grammar rules and is usable in written English. Examples from Ludwig show its use in describing physical surfaces, artistic mediums, and components of construction.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Wiki

24%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "rough material" is a commonly used descriptive phrase that indicates an uneven or unrefined texture. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely accepted. It appears frequently in various contexts, including news media, scientific articles, and encyclopedias. While versatile, it's essential to be specific about the kind of roughness you're describing to avoid vagueness. For alternative phrasing, options such as "coarse substance" or "uneven matter" offer similar meanings with slightly different nuances. Remembering to specify the type of material can greatly enhance the clarity and impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

coarse substance

Replaces "material" with "substance" and "rough" with "coarse", focusing on the unrefined texture.

uneven matter

Substitutes "rough" with "uneven" and "material" with "matter", highlighting the irregular surface.

crude stuff

Replaces "rough" with "crude" and "material" with "stuff", emphasizing the unrefined and basic nature.

unrefined matter

Emphasizes the lack of refinement of the material.

textured medium

Focuses on the tactile quality and uses "medium" to suggest a substance used in a process.

abrasive solid

Highlights the potential to cause friction or wear.

grainy texture

Highlights the visual and tactile characteristic of having a granular surface.

raw stock

Implies the material is in its initial, unprocessed form.

irregular aggregate

Describes a composite material with components of varying sizes and shapes.

unsmooth medium

A straightforward alternative that emphasizes the absence of smoothness.

FAQs

How can I use "rough material" in a sentence?

You can use "rough material" to describe the texture of a surface or object. For example: "The sculptor preferred working with "raw clay", valuing the feel of the "rough material" in their hands."

What's the difference between "rough material" and "coarse material"?

While both terms describe an uneven texture, "rough material" can imply a more irregular and unfinished state, whereas "coarse material" often refers to a texture with larger, more distinct particles or fibers.

What can I say instead of "rough material"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "textured surface", "uneven texture", or "abrasive surface" to convey the same meaning.

Is it appropriate to use "rough material" in formal writing?

Yes, "rough material" is appropriate in formal writing as long as the context calls for a description of an unrefined or uneven texture. For more formal contexts, consider using "unrefined substance" or a more specific descriptor to enhance clarity.