take a material

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "take a material" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to refer to obtaining or using a material, but it lacks clarity and proper context. Example: "Please take a material from the supply room for your project."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"This will make it easier," he said, "for cable telephony to take a material share in 2004".

The New York Times

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) — The chip maker Advanced Micro Devices said Wednesday that it planned to take a material write-down of the value of its 2006 acquisition of ATI Technologies, a costly bet made to compete better in the market for graphics semiconductors.

The New York Times

Dennett (1987) sums up the issue: "Searle's view, then, comes to this: take a material object (any material object) that does not have the power of causing mental phenomena; you cannot turn it in to an object that does have the power of producing mental phenomena simply by programming it reorganizing the conditional dependencies of transitions between its states".

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

So the staff proposed taking a "material attractiveness approach".

The New York Times

We soon understand that the violent, absurd act at the beginning of the story is a parallel to the war, and in the magical-realism realm the villagers' pain takes a material form in the concept of grief milk.

The New Yorker

The letter reads: "Dear Lord Myners "You telephoned me yesterday and asked me to consider voluntarily taking a material reduction in my pension entitlement as a 'gesture' to acknowledge the level of Government support being made available to RBS.

Independent

Nanogate takes a material to be coated, applies a layer of adhesive nanoparticles and then adds another layer of non-adhesive nanoparticles that bind to the first layer.

Forbes

And, while most efforts concentrate on culture change and training, at least one researcher is taking a material approach, using nanotechnology to reduce common lab hazards.

Science Magazine

Excess paste layer covering aggregates in cement-based materials is considered taking a material property of the layer thickness in addition to the volume fraction of the aggregates.

Construction and Building Materials

Physically, the Deborah number is the ratio of relaxation time characterizing the time it takes a material to adjust to applied stresses or deformations, and the characteristic time scale of an experiment probing the response of the material.

Boundary Value Problems

This is a group that routinely passes on taking a material stand on anything -- up to and including issues of great importance to its most prominent members and founders -- in favor of pushing for silly junk like "bipartisan seating".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to selecting a material, be precise in your phrasing, like "choose", "select", or "obtain" a specific material for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "take a material" in formal writing. Instead, opt for more precise verbs like "select", "acquire", or "procure" to clearly convey the intended action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take a material" functions as a verb phrase where "take" acts as the verb and "a material" is the object. While Ludwig provides examples, the phrase is often grammatically weak or requires further context for accurate interpretation.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "take a material" appears in various contexts, it's often considered grammatically incorrect or vague. Ludwig AI points out that it lacks clarity in standard written English, with more precise verbs like "select", "acquire", or "obtain" being preferable. Its frequency is uncommon, and its usage spans across News & Media, Science, and Wiki sources, making it adaptable but not universally recommended. When writing, aim for precision and clarity by using more specific verbs to convey the intended action regarding the material.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

select a material

Refers to choosing a particular material for a purpose.

choose a material

Focuses on the decision-making aspect of selecting a material.

obtain a material

Emphasizes the act of acquiring the material.

acquire a material

Similar to obtain, but may imply a more formal or complex acquisition process.

procure a material

Suggests acquiring material through specific means or effort.

secure a material

Implies making sure the material is available and reserved.

utilize a material

Highlights using the material for a specific purpose.

employ a material

Similar to utilize, indicating the application of the material.

adopt a material

Implies formally starting to use a material, often in a technical context.

implement a material

Suggests putting the material into effect as part of a process or plan.

FAQs

What's a more appropriate way to say "take a material"?

Better alternatives include phrases like "select a material", "obtain a material", or "acquire a material", depending on the context.

Is "take a material" grammatically correct?

The phrase "take a material" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in formal English. It's more accurate to use verbs like "choose", "select", or "acquire" to indicate obtaining or using a material.

How can I use the phrase "take a material" correctly in a sentence?

While not recommended, if you intend to use it, ensure clarity by rephrasing. For example, instead of "take a material", say "choose a material" or "acquire a material" for better understanding.

What are some professional synonyms for "take a material" in technical writing?

In technical or professional contexts, consider using synonyms such as "procure a material", "secure a material", or "implement a material" for greater precision and formality.