used material

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "used material" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to materials that have been previously utilized or consumed in a particular context, such as in construction, art, or education. Example: "The artist incorporated used material into her sculpture to give it a unique texture and history."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Fitzgerald habitually saved letters and sometimes used material in them for his writing.

The New York Times - Books

He used material no one else had used and asked questions no one else had asked.

The Guardian - Books

I could have used material that I'd come up with before.

The Guardian

(In some cases he has used material from his own fashion shoots).

The New York Times

Adam Begley on how John Updike used material from his life in his fiction.

The New Yorker

In "Human Voices" (1980) she used material from her job at the BBC during World War II.

The New York Times - Books

Officials used material stored on the computer to trace it back to Mr. Carter.

The New York Times

Wool was the most frequently used material, in bright or strong colours.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It depends on the fact that early hand-operated presses used material that deteriorated at a steady rate: wood blocks cracked, and copperplate corroded.

The New York Times

The freelancer said that he reached out to other reporters, one of whom used material from his interviews, in the hopes of helping to expose Weinstein.

The New Yorker

The group, Judicial Watch, is trying to prove that the Clinton White House used material protected by the Privacy Act to attack its political enemies.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing research or experiments, be specific about the type of "used material", including its source, treatment, and characteristics to ensure reproducibility.

Common error

Avoid vague statements about "used material". Instead, clearly identify what the material is (e.g., "recycled plastic", "post-consumer paper") to provide clarity and context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "used material" functions as a noun phrase where "used" acts as a past-participle adjective modifying the noun "material". Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

46%

News & Media

34%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "used material" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed term across diverse contexts, especially in scientific research and news reporting. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is generally correct and safe to use. To ensure precision, especially in technical writing, it's essential to define the specific type of "used material" you're referring to. Alternative phrases like "utilised material" or "recycled material" can add nuance depending on the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

utilised material

Replaces "used" with a more formal synonym "utilised".

employed material

A more formal way of saying that a specific type of material has been used for something.

previously used material

Adds emphasis on the prior usage of the material.

recycled material

Specifically refers to material that has been processed for reuse.

secondhand material

Suggests the material was obtained after its initial use by someone else.

incorporated material

Indicates the material was integrated into something else.

repurposed material

Implies the material is used for a different purpose than originally intended.

applied material

Suggests the material was put to practical use.

waste material

Indicates the material was discarded before being used.

consumed material

Highlights the fact that the material gets consumed.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "used material" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives such as "utilised material", "previously used material", or "employed material", depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "used material" and "recycled material"?

"Used material" simply means that the material has been employed before. "Recycled material", on the other hand, specifically refers to material that has been processed and transformed for reuse. Therefore, a "recycled material" is always a "used material", but not all "used material" is necessarily recycled.

What are some contexts where the term "used material" is commonly applied?

The term "used material" appears in several fields, including science, news reporting, and construction. In science, for instance, it may refer to "incorporated material" in experiments, while news reports might talk about the use of "secondhand material".

When is it appropriate to use "repurposed material" instead of "used material"?

Use "repurposed material" when the material is being used for a purpose different from its original intended use. For example, if old tires are used to create playground equipment, they are being "repurposed material". If you are simply using it for its original intent but after it has been used, then it is best to stick with "used material".