smallest material

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "smallest material" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the least amount or the tiniest form of a substance or item in a specific context. Example: "In our experiment, we measured the smallest material that could still conduct electricity effectively."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Kyle Brown, a co-author on the paper from the University of Cape Town said the team spotted the minute but carefully made tools among the smallest material collected in sieves used at the excavation site.

The Guardian

There are theological worries about a genetic reductionism that suggests that we are no more than our smallest material parts the bits of DNA that make up the genome.

SEP

Furthermore, at a lower scale the overall constitutive behavior of the alumina/magnesium alloy fibre is modelled as a single material defined by a large number of RVEs (the smallest material scale) at the Gauss point (intermediate) level.

Journal of the Mechanics and Physics of Solids

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Orthodoxies of purity, of hierarchy, of rigidity -- theories of music, for example, that politicize its smallest materials, the order of its every pitch -- still hold sway over much of our musical life.

The New York Times - Arts

Although no weighting factors are used, small-scale materials can influence the results significantly.

Energy, Sustainability and Society

Moral: even a princess prefers a valuable gift to something of small material value.

The New Yorker

With 24 ba! Rf2 25 Kf2 Ba6 26 Ra6 he would have had a small material superiority and the better of the game.

The New York Times

The lack of a body "prevented us from receiving the small material respite of life insurance," Ms. Perlman said.

The New York Times

He could have tried 21 but, but after 21... Nf5 22 gf5 Rg2 23 Kf4 Rf8, Adams would have been fine despite his small material deficit.

The New York Times

"Timber harvesting removes the relatively large diameter wood that can be converted into wood products, but leaves behind the small material, especially twigs and needles," wrote Ross W. Gorte, author of the report.

The New York Times

The position of the intersection shifts to smaller material budgets with increasing dz DUT.

EPJ Techniques and Instrumentation

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing research methodologies, use "smallest material" to emphasize the precision and scale of the tools or substances used in experiments.

Common error

Avoid using "smallest material" in contexts where 'least significant factor' or 'minor detail' would be more appropriate. This keeps the focus on physical matter rather than abstract concepts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "smallest material" functions primarily as a noun phrase acting as a subject or object within a sentence. It describes a specific quantity or size of matter. As noted by Ludwig, it is usable in written English and can be used to refer to the tiniest form of a substance in a context.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "smallest material" is grammatically correct and refers to the tiniest form of a substance. Ludwig's AI analysis confirms its usability, particularly in scientific and technical fields where precision is key. While not frequently used, when it appears, it typically aims to specify the minimal quantity or dimension of a substance. Use it judiciously to highlight scale and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tiniest substance

Replaces 'material' with 'substance', emphasizing the fundamental nature of the small entity.

minute component

Substitutes 'smallest' with 'minute' and 'material' with 'component', highlighting precision and part of a whole.

minimal matter

Uses 'minimal' instead of 'smallest' and 'matter' in place of 'material', suggesting a focus on quantity and physical existence.

least quantity of substance

Expands on the idea to specify 'least quantity', adding clarity about the amount of the substance involved.

infinitesimal element

Replaces 'smallest' with 'infinitesimal' to denote extreme smallness, and 'material' with 'element', often used in scientific contexts.

microscopic ingredient

Specifies 'microscopic' to indicate scale and 'ingredient' for a component role.

utterly minimal stuff

Uses less formal terms like 'utterly' and 'stuff' to soften the tone, while retaining the core meaning.

most diminutive component

Employs 'most diminutive' to stress size reduction and 'component' as a part of a larger item.

ultramicroscopic matter

Combines 'ultramicroscopic' for size and 'matter' for physical substance, suited for technical contexts.

trace amount of material

Focuses on the 'trace amount', indicating a very small quantity present.

FAQs

How can I use "smallest material" in a scientific context?

In scientific writing, "smallest material" can refer to the smallest measurable amount of a substance used in an experiment or analysis. For example, "The experiment aimed to detect the effects of the smallest material that still exhibits magnetic properties."

What phrases are similar to "smallest material"?

Alternatives include "tiniest substance", "minute component", or "minimal matter", each slightly shifting the emphasis on scale or composition.

When is it appropriate to use "smallest material" instead of "least amount of material"?

"Smallest material" emphasizes the size or scale of the substance, while "least amount of material" focuses on quantity. Use "smallest material" when size is a key characteristic to highlight.

Is "smallest material" always referring to a physical substance?

Yes, generally "smallest material" refers to a physical substance or component. If you intend to describe something non-physical, consider using terms like "least significant factor" or "minor detail".