various material

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "various material" is not correct in standard written English; it should be "various materials." You can use it when referring to different types or kinds of materials in a context where variety is emphasized.
Example: "The artist used various materials, including wood, metal, and fabric, to create her sculptures."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Reportedly, however, various material was found suggesting that blood manipulation may have taken place," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

Early Greek thinkers sought the beginning of all things in various material substances.

Encyclopedia Britannica

So as not to appear a mere mortal, he is required to display various material symbols to bolster his image.

The New York Times

Their schemes require them to renounce (if only temporarily) various material comforts cars, elevators, Starbucks that their neighbors take for granted.

The New Yorker

The app is intended to be used by designers as they work through the various material iterations of the garments they are creating (plans exist to update the index with scores for footwear).

The Guardian

Bernhard himself was a maddeningly repetitive writer, but Bolaño saw that you could use the same device to impose unity on the most perversely various material, as he did in By Night in Chile.

The Guardian - Books

Among various material candidates, metal sulfides are receiving increasing attention.

Nano Convergence

The library covered broad ranges of various material properties.

Biomaterials

Undoubtedly, understanding the corrosion mechanism is very important before considering various material options for the applications.

International Journal of Industrial Chemistry

The same structural and building physical performance can be achieved with various material combinations.

International Journal of Disaster Risk Science

Nanostructured thin films play nowadays a quite significant role in various material science and technology applications.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the plural form "materials" when referring to more than one type of material. For example, use "The project required various materials" instead of "various material".

Common error

Avoid using the singular form "material" when you mean multiple types of materials. This often leads to grammatical errors and unclear communication. Use the plural form "materials" to ensure correctness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "various material" functions as an adjective-noun combination intended to describe multiple types of materials. However, Ludwig AI points out that it's often grammatically incorrect, as "various" implies plurality, necessitating the use of "materials" instead.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

54%

News & Media

29%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "various material" appears frequently in various contexts, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI identifies the proper form as "various materials", emphasizing the importance of using the plural noun to align with the adjective "various". When you want to refer to multiple types of substances, use "various materials", "diverse materials", or similar alternatives to ensure clarity and correctness in your writing. Remember, the context of usage spans from scientific research to news reporting, making correct grammar essential for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

multiple materials

Changes the noun to its plural form, aligning with standard English grammar.

diverse materials

Replaces "various" with "diverse", emphasizing the range of different materials.

assorted materials

Uses "assorted" to highlight the mixed and varied nature of the materials.

different materials

Employs "different" to convey the variety in types of materials.

a range of materials

Uses a more descriptive phrase to indicate a collection of materials.

a variety of materials

Uses "variety" to suggest a diverse selection of materials.

several materials

Indicates that there are more than two materials, but not necessarily a vast range.

numerous materials

Emphasizes a large quantity of materials.

various kinds of material

Adds "kinds of" to specify different types of material, rather than a single substance.

an array of materials

Uses "array" to suggest an impressive or organized collection of materials.

FAQs

How do I correctly use "various material" in a sentence?

The phrase "various material" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. It's better to use "various materials", which is the plural form and adheres to standard English grammar.

What's a good substitute for "various material"?

Instead of "various material", you can use phrases like "diverse materials", "assorted materials", or "different materials" to indicate a range of materials.

Is it ever correct to say "various material"?

In most contexts, "various materials" is the correct phrase. "Various material" might be used in very specific, technical contexts where "material" is treated as a non-count noun, but this is rare. Always opt for the plural form in general writing.

What is the difference between "various material" and "various materials"?

"Various material" is grammatically incorrect in standard English because "various" implies more than one item, requiring the plural noun "materials". Using "various materials" ensures grammatical correctness.