the material are

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "the material are" is not correct and cannot be used in written English.
The correct version would be "the material is". Example: The material is lightweight but strong, making it perfect for this construction project.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

From a Buddhist perspective, the spiritual and the material are also aspects of a single entity.

The New York Times - Arts

The outlet of the system and infrequent structural failure of the material are the usual points for service.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Photons travelling at any other angle within the material are reflected back inside when they reach the surface.

The Economist

Because many of the containers holding the material are old, or of unknown reliability, the risk of leakage is high.

The New York Times

These attempts to humanize (and sentimentalize) the material are just clutter, and they may drive you away before the living body reaches puberty.

The New York Times - Arts

Ms. Vinton and Mr. McDonald, acting all four parts and in complete command of the material, are convincingly cold and sick at heart.

The New York Times

This and the rest of the material are well known to fans of the conductor and hold few surprises, just good performances.

The New York Times - Arts

The following guidelines on access to the material are in place to ensure the security, preservation and continued availability of these unique and irreplaceable collections.

The Guardian

In this type of packaging the barrier properties of the material are carefully selected according to the respiration characteristics of the fruit.

Encyclopedia Britannica

When hot materials become luminous and radiate light, a process called incandescence, the atoms of the material are in a high state of agitation.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In 1961 shock-wave methods, or explosive-shock techniques, were first used to produce diamond powder, and small quantities of the material are still formed that way.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always ensure subject-verb agreement. "Material" is a singular noun, so it should be paired with the singular verb "is". For example, use "the material is" instead of "the material are".

Common error

A common mistake is using the plural verb "are" with the singular noun "material". Always double-check that your verb agrees with the subject of your sentence. Remember, the correct usage is "the material is".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the material are" functions as a subject and verb within a sentence. However, it is grammatically incorrect because the singular noun "material" does not agree with the plural verb "are". Ludwig AI identifies this grammatical error.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

29%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "the material are" appears in numerous sources, it is grammatically incorrect as flagged by Ludwig AI. "Material" is a singular noun and should be paired with the singular verb "is". The phrase surfaces in contexts such as science, news, and encyclopedias, but its high frequency doesn't negate its incorrectness. To rectify this, use "the material is" or rephrase the sentence to employ a plural subject such as "properties of the material are". Remember to always ensure subject-verb agreement for clearer and more professional communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the material is

Corrects the grammatical error by using the singular verb form to agree with the singular noun "material".

the properties of the material are

Shifts the focus to "properties", making the plural verb "are" grammatically correct.

the materials are

Changes "material" to its plural form "materials", necessitating the plural verb "are".

the components of the material are

Reframes the subject as "components", a plural noun, thus correctly using "are".

aspects of the material are

Uses "aspects", which is plural, to align with the verb "are".

characteristics of the material are

Employs the plural noun "characteristics" to necessitate the plural verb form.

features of the material are

Replaces the subject with the plural noun "features" to allow for the correct use of "are".

the components making up the material are

Specifies the plural "components" as the subject, justifying the plural verb form.

the elements in the material are

Highlights the "elements", a plural noun, as the subject that corresponds with "are".

the ingredients of the material are

Uses "ingredients", which is plural, as the subject.

FAQs

Why is "the material are" considered grammatically incorrect?

The phrase "the material are" is grammatically incorrect because "material" is a singular noun, and it requires a singular verb form, which is "is". The correct phrase is "the material is".

What can I say instead of "the material are" to correct the grammar?

To correct the grammar, you should say "the material is". Alternatively, you can rephrase the sentence to use a plural subject, such as "the materials are" or "the properties of the material are".

How do I ensure I'm using the correct verb with "material"?

Always check whether you're referring to the singular "material" or plural "materials". If singular, use "is"; if plural, use "are". If referring to aspects or characteristics, consider phrases such as "properties of the material are".

Is it ever acceptable to use "the material are"?

No, "the material are" is not grammatically correct in standard English. While you might find it in some informal contexts, it's best to avoid it in formal writing. You can use alternatives such as "the material is" or "the materials are" depending on the context.