starting material

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "starting material" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in contexts such as chemistry, manufacturing, or production to refer to the initial substances or components used to create a product or perform a process. Example: "In the synthesis of the compound, the starting material was a simple organic molecule that underwent several reactions."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The average RNA yield varied from 2.5 mg for dry seeds (0.05% of starting material) to 8 mg for germinating seeds (0.16% of starting material, stage Tmax).

BMC Plant Biology

500 ng of RNA was used as a starting material.

Nature

A.Y. and S.G. prepared the glass starting material.

Nature

L.H. and G.P. synthesized the glass starting material.

Nature

Starting material BTA-N3: calculated MW = 1313.81 g mol−1.

Nature

Merck's first process route involved resolution of racemic starting material by HPLC.

Nature

The starting material comes from a common plastic known as PET.

MIT Technology Review

After 30 min irradiation at 30 °C, the starting material was completely consumed.

Nature

The ensilicated and released protein, by contrast, appears identical to the starting material.

Nature

Unreacted starting material 1 was recovered (34.6 mg, 0.0768 mmol, 75%) and used for another irradiation.

Nature

Arsenious oxide provides the starting material for most other arsenic compounds.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a scientific process, clearly identify the "starting material" to ensure reproducibility. Include details about its purity, source, and any pretreatment steps.

Common error

Avoid using the term "starting material" without specifying its exact composition or characteristics. Always provide sufficient detail to avoid confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "starting material" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig's examples showcase its role in identifying the initial components in various processes, from chemical reactions to manufacturing procedures.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "starting material" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to denote the initial substance or component in a process. As evidenced by Ludwig, its usage is frequent in scientific, news, and encyclopedic contexts, highlighting its importance in providing clarity and precision. While the phrase is generally formal, it can also appear in more neutral settings. Related phrases include "raw material" and "base substance". Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is perfectly usable in written English. When using "starting material", ensure that you specify its exact composition to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

raw material

Focuses specifically on unprocessed substances.

initial component

Highlights the role as a building block or part.

base substance

Emphasizes the foundational nature of the material.

primary ingredient

Implies a key element in a mixture or compound.

original element

Focuses on the material's state at the beginning.

feedstock

Commonly used in industrial and chemical contexts.

precursor

Highlights its role as a predecessor to the final product.

input material

General term for anything put into a process.

source material

Emphasizes the origin of the material.

constituent

One of the substances that combine to form something.

FAQs

How to use "starting material" in a sentence?

You can use "starting material" to describe the initial substance in a process. For example, "The "raw material" was processed to create the final product."

What can I say instead of "starting material"?

You can use alternatives like ""raw material"", "base substance", or "input material" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "starting material" or "end material"?

"Starting material" refers to the initial substance, while "end material" (or more commonly, "end product") refers to the final result of a process. They describe opposite stages.

What's the difference between "starting material" and "reagent"?

"Starting material" is the primary substance undergoing a transformation, while a "reagent" is a substance added to cause a reaction or transformation of the starting material.