running out of material

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "running out of material" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you have used most (or all) of the resources or ideas available to you and have nothing left to work with. For example, "We were running out of material, so we decided to take a break and come back later."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Running out of material.

Vice

Meanwhile, he has no fears about running out of material.

The New York Times - Arts

I'm not afraid of running out of material – no more than a fiction writer would be".

The Guardian - Books

Although the show is into its seventh series in the UK, it shows no sign of running out of material.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Without being too cliched, the bigger picture of what love is about is just such an unending kind of wonder, I can't see me running out of material".

The Guardian - Music

Widespread fuel shortages are also taking their toll, with hospitals quickly running out of material to run their generators, which are crucial amid the electricity outages affecting most of the country.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

I don't mind lugging five paperbacks with me on a two-day trip, and there's something oddly enjoyable about scouring your shelf for the right five books, because heaven forbid you run out of reading material during those 48 hours.

Huffington Post

He'll never run out of material.

The New Yorker

I ran out of material.

The Guardian

"Thanks for listening," I said, when I ran out of material.

The New York Times

I still ran out of material on topics that interested me.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a creative process, use "running out of material" to indicate a point where new ideas are needed to progress.

Common error

Ensure that you don't use "running out of material" when you should be using "losing material." The former implies depletion through use, while the latter implies misplacement or accidental loss.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "running out of material" functions as a verb phrase indicating the depletion or exhaustion of resources, ideas, or supplies. It describes a state of diminishing availability, as seen in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "running out of material" is a grammatically sound expression used to describe the depletion of resources or ideas. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides numerous examples from reputable sources, primarily in the News & Media category. Related phrases include ""depleting resources"" and ""exhausting supplies"". When using this phrase, ensure it aligns with the concept of depletion, not accidental loss, and consider the context to maintain clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

running low on supplies

Indicates that supplies are getting closer to depletion.

depleting resources

Focuses on the reduction of available resources.

exhausting supplies

Emphasizes the complete use of available supplies.

dwindling stock

Highlights the decreasing quantity of available stock.

diminishing resources

Implies a gradual decrease in the availability of resources.

reaching the limit

Indicates the point where no more material is available.

approaching resource scarcity

Highlights the approaching lack of resources.

hitting a creative block

Specifically refers to the depletion of creative ideas.

becoming exhausted

Highlights the complete use of resources.

drying up

Suggests that resources are becoming scarce.

FAQs

How can I use "running out of material" in a sentence?

You can use "running out of material" to describe a situation where resources are being depleted, such as "The writer was "hitting a creative block" and felt like he was running out of material."

What are some alternatives to "running out of material"?

Some alternatives to "running out of material" include "depleting resources", "exhausting supplies", or "dwindling stock", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "running out of materials" instead of "running out of material"?

While both are grammatically correct, "running out of material" is more common when referring to a general concept or abstract ideas. "Running out of materials" is typically used when referring to physical items.

What does it mean to say someone is "running out of material"?

To say someone is "running out of material" means that they are exhausting their available resources, ideas, or supplies. It suggests a state of depletion where they are nearing the end of what they have to work with.