What is material? Pronunciation and usage in English

Let's break down how to use the word "material" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with several different meanings! Here's a breakdown, categorized for clarity:

1. As a Noun – Relating to Physical Substances:

• Definition: This is the most common meaning. It refers to a substance used to make something.
• Examples:
  • "The material of this table is oak." (The substance – wood)
  • "She sewed a beautiful dress from silk material." (The fabric)
  • "He’s studying the materials needed for building a house." (The various components like wood, bricks, etc.)
  • "The material costs were higher than expected." (The cost of the building supplies).
  • "This is a durable material." (Meaning it’s strong and long-lasting)

2. As a Noun – Information or Content:

• Definition: Here, “material” refers to essential information, facts, or content. This is often used in a formal context.
• Examples:
  • "The police are gathering material for their investigation." (Evidence, facts)
  • "He produced a large amount of material for his book." (Text, research, data)
  • "The material presented in the report was highly critical.” (The core arguments presented)
  • “This article is made up of largely secondary material.” (Referring to information based on other sources).

3. As an Adjective – Related to Substance/Origin:

• Definition: When used as an adjective, “material” describes something as genuinely real, important, or of good quality. It often implies necessity or significance.
• Examples:
  • "She is a material witness to the crime." (Important – her testimony is crucial)
  • "He's a material player in the business world." (Significant – he has a large impact)
  • "That's a material breach of contract.” (Serious – it violates the agreement significantly)
  • “He’s a material improvement to the team.” (A significant and positive change).

4. Other Less Common Uses:

• Materialistic: (Adjective) – Excessively concerned with material possessions. "He became increasingly materialistic after he inherited a large sum of money."
• Materialize: (Verb) - To become real or appear. "The idea began to materialize into a concrete plan."

Tips for Using "Material" Correctly:

• Context is Key: The meaning of "material" changes dramatically depending on the context. Pay attention to the surrounding words.
• Formal vs. Informal: "Material" is more common in formal writing and speech, especially when referring to information.
• Synonyms: Consider synonyms to vary your language:
  • (For substances): substance, component, element, component
  • (For information): data, information, facts, content

Resources for Further Learning:

• Merriam-Webster Dictionary: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/material
• Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries: https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/material

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