tangible substances

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tangible substances" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to physical materials or items that can be perceived through the senses, particularly in scientific or technical contexts. Example: "In the laboratory, we focused on analyzing the tangible substances that were present in the samples collected from the field."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Instead of these concrete and tangible substances Philolaus appeals to things which are unlimited, "unlimiteds," and things which limit, "limiters".

SEP

The FDA is almost unique in having a scientifically sound basis for its regulatory trigger: recognizing that hazard is caused by the presence of tangible substances, not by the breeding method (McHughen, 2007; McHughen and Smyth, 2008).

Annals of Botany

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Industry and media followed suit, and terms like polyunsaturated, cholesterol, monounsaturated, carbohydrate, fiber, polyphenols, amino acids and carotenes soon colonized much of the cultural space previously occupied by the tangible substance formerly known as food.

The New York Times - Magazine

It may be that the Olympic Games leaves behind little of tangible substance – though you trust at least that some of its physical infrastructure, all that massive concrete investment, will spread at least a little lasting benefit to the east of the capital.

The Guardian - Sport

What could possibly possess people to spend real, hard earned cash on 'objects' that have no tangible substance?

TechCrunch

The amount of good vibes that were in the air became a tangible substance that could be felt by everyone in attendance.

Huffington Post

There's a notion that floats through the mainstream consciousness, through the mass media, and even among tender-footed law students and fledgling attorneys about the word "justice": It's some kind of objective and tangible substance.

Huffington Post

This was Keller's awakening, when she made the connection between the word Sullivan spelled and the tangible substance splashing from the pump, whispering "wah-wah" -- her way of saying "water".

Huffington Post

Either way, this was undeniably tangible achievement, substance to go with the irrefutable style.

The Guardian - Sport

He was unusual among 19th-century artists in that he drew without color while treating paper like canvas, as a surface to be covered completely with a tangible, malleable substance.

The New York Times - Arts

HTC's financial release (here) is notable pretty devoid of substance and tangible plans.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "tangible substances", ensure the context clearly indicates a focus on physical or material entities that can be perceived through the senses. This phrase is particularly useful in scientific, technical, or philosophical discussions where differentiating between physical and abstract concepts is crucial.

Common error

Avoid using "tangible substances" when referring to intangible or abstract concepts. The term implies a physical reality, so using it to describe emotions, ideas, or other non-physical entities can be misleading and inaccurate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tangible substances" functions primarily as a noun phrase modified by an adjective. "Tangible" describes the nature of the "substances", indicating they are perceptible through the senses. As Ludwig confirms, it is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "tangible substances" refers to physical materials that can be perceived through the senses. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct and best used in contexts where specifying the physical nature of a substance is important, especially in scientific or technical discussions. While the phrase isn't exceedingly common, the examples show that its use is appropriate across diverse contexts but is more likely to be found in scientific or news media sources. When using this phrase, avoid applying it to abstract concepts, as this can lead to miscommunication. Alternative phrases like "physical materials" or "palpable materials" can be used depending on the nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

palpable materials

Replaces "tangible" with "palpable", emphasizing the ease with which the substances can be felt or perceived.

physical materials

Focuses on the physical nature of the substances, highlighting their existence in the physical world.

concrete materials

Similar to "physical materials", but emphasizes the solid and real nature of the substances.

perceptible substances

Shifts the focus to the ability to perceive the substances through the senses.

sensible substances

Highlights that the substances are appreciable via the senses, with a more formal tone.

real substances

Emphasizes the authenticity and non-illusory nature of the substances.

touchable substances

Directly refers to the ability to touch the substances, making it very literal.

corporeal substances

Uses a more formal and somewhat archaic term to describe substances having a physical body.

material objects

Switches from "substances" to "objects" to underline that these are physical items

solid substances

Specifies that the substances are in a solid state, adding a detail about their form.

FAQs

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

Use "tangible substances" when referring to materials or objects that can be perceived by touch or other senses. For example: "The experiment focused on identifying the "tangible substances" present in the soil sample".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "tangible substances"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "physical materials", "concrete materials", or "palpable materials" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it appropriate to use "tangible substances" when discussing abstract concepts?

No, "tangible substances" should be used when referring to physical entities. Using it in the context of abstract concepts can be misleading. Consider using terms like "concrete evidence" or "real results" instead.

What distinguishes "tangible substances" from "intangible assets"?

"Tangible substances" refer to physical materials that can be touched and directly observed, while intangible assets are non-physical resources like intellectual property or brand reputation.