tangible materials

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tangible materials" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe physical objects that can be seen, touched, or felt. For example, "This museum is filled with many interesting tangible materials from World War II."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedia Britannica

Journal of the Brazilian Computer Society

Huffington Post

Vice

Ageing and Society

The New York Times - Magazine

The New York Times

The Guardian

The New York Times - Books

BMC Public Health

Health Research Policy and Systems

Environmental Health Perspectives

Telematics and Informatics

BMC Medical Ethics

The Guardian - Arts

The Guardian - Opinion

International Journal of Industrial Chemistry

Journal of Applied Volcanology

Energy, Sustainability and Society

Materials & Design

International Journal of STEM Education

International Journal of Child Care and Education Policy

Archives of Dermatological Research

The Economist

Human Resources for Health

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

A large proportion of work in an information society involves manipulating abstract information and knowledge (understood in this context as an organized and comprehensive structure of facts, relationships, theories, and insights) rather than directly processing, manufacturing, or delivering tangible materials.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Besides, the team designed and implemented a set of learning experiences - multimedia and tangible materials to achieve the established learning goals.

Journal of the Brazilian Computer Society

True -- but the opposite of a profound truth is also true, and I think there's a mirror pleasure to be gained from dealing with actual, physical, tangible materials.

Huffington Post

These tangible materials root the music in the context of their history, but also in the physical world, allowing people to look, listen, feel, and even smell or taste the songs if they want to.

Vice

Whereas financial and instrumental support involve exchange of tangible materials, receiving emotional support means older parents spend time with children, opening up and talking about worries, asking for advice and seeking comfort.

Ageing and Society

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

"Well, the sound and the space the sound occupies are tangible material," Nauman explains.

The New York Times - Magazine

They are also tangible: material objects that can be grasped, pasted, or leaned against a dresser mirror.

The New York Times

The territory inside is the most potent and astounding human territory of all, and is accessible by anyone, regardless of their tangible, material circumstances.

The Guardian

In the same spirit, nutritionism has lately helped to justify vitamin-enriched Diet Coke, bread bolstered with the Omega-3 fatty acids more readily found in fish oil, and many other new improvements on what Michael Pollan calls "the tangible material formerly known as food".

The New York Times - Books

Wal-Mart shoppers wear outfits that range from appropriate to bizarre to some sort of tangible material that more-or-less covers their body parts.

Huffington Post

To possess the images in the cache, the defendant must, at a minimum, know that the unlawful images are stored on a disk or other tangible material".

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In discussions of support or resources, specify "tangible materials" to highlight the provision of physical assistance rather than emotional or informational support.

Common error

Avoid using "tangible materials" when discussing non-physical concepts or intangible assets; reserve the term for physical objects that can be touched or felt.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tangible materials" functions primarily as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It identifies physical substances or resources that can be perceived through touch. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

10%

Academia

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "tangible materials" is a grammatically sound and commonly used noun phrase that refers to physical items or resources. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is correct across various contexts, including news, science, and formal writing. When employing the phrase, remember to reserve it for physical objects, avoiding its use with abstract concepts. Alternatives such as ""physical substances"" or ""concrete resources"" may be suitable depending on the specific meaning you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

physical substances

Focuses on the physicality and substance aspect, omitting the "tangible" sense of being perceptible.

concrete resources

Emphasizes the practical and real nature of the materials, rather than their sensory quality.

palpable items

Highlights the ability to be touched and felt, replacing "materials" with a broader term.

touchable goods

Shifts the focus to items that can be touched, suggesting a more consumer-oriented context.

real commodities

Implies materials that are actual and tradable, adding an economic dimension.

physical artifacts

Replaces "materials" with a term that suggests historical or cultural significance.

solid matter

Focuses on the state of the material, emphasizing its solidity.

visible components

Emphasizes the aspect of being seen, and that the materials are parts of something bigger.

tactile objects

Highlights the tactile aspect, emphasizing the sensation of touch.

material possessions

Suggests ownership and the state of being materials, adding an aspect of wealth.

FAQs

How can I use "tangible materials" in a sentence?

You can use "tangible materials" to describe physical resources or items that can be touched or handled. For example, "The art class involved working with various "tangible materials" like clay and paint."

What are some alternatives to "tangible materials"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "physical substances", "concrete resources", or "palpable items".

Is it correct to use "tangible materials" when referring to digital objects?

No, "tangible materials" should not be used to describe digital objects. The word "tangible" implies that something is touchable or physical, which is not the case for digital content.

What is the difference between "tangible materials" and "intangible assets"?

"Tangible materials" refer to physical objects that can be touched and felt, whereas "intangible assets" refer to non-physical items like patents, trademarks, or goodwill.