Material Noun: Definition, Uses, Rules and Examples

What Is a Material Noun?

A material noun is used to describe an object that can be perceived by the senses. For example, the word “gold” is a material noun because it describes an object that can be seen, felt and heard. Some common material nouns include water, air, cement, stone, etc. Moreover, take a look below for the material noun definition and examples for more clarity.

Definition of Material Noun

A material noun definition, according to Oxford Learner's Dictionaries, is “A word that refers to a substance from which things are made or to things that are needed to do a particular activity.”

For example: gold, water-building materials, etc.

This was the explanation of the material noun definition and examples for you.

Examples of Material Nouns

Following are some material noun examples for your better understanding of this noun in English:

1. I got a new wooden
2. The dress was sewn with fabric made of cotton.
3. The artist used canvas made of linen for the painting.
4. During winter, many people wear woolen
5. Riya plays cricket with a leather ball.
6. Milk contains lactic acid.
7. I love wearing gold
8. BP patient should have a minimum intake of salt.
9. Silk is the best material.
10. Honey is a natural sweetener.

These are some of the material noun examples for reference. Moreover, you can solve material noun worksheet for practice.

Classification of Material Noun

Material noun is obtained in many ways, such as natural, man-made, etc. Thus, based on this, material nouns have been divided into four categories, which are as follows:

• Material Noun from Nature:Water, silver. gold, iron, sunlight, earth etc.
• Material Noun from Plants: Cotton, food, oil, coffee, tea, rubber etc.
• Material Noun from Animals:Egg, meat, honey, silk, wool etc.
• Material Noun from Man-Made:Alcohol, brick, butter, ghee, cheese etc.

This was the classification of material nouns for your better understanding.

Uses of Material Noun in the Sentence

Material nouns are used in the Singular number in English grammar. But there is a need to be careful in the use of articles. Here you will see how material nouns are used for different purposes in a sentence and improve the clarity of communication:

1. Indicating substance:

Example: The jewelry was made of pure silver.

2. Expressing Abstract Concepts:

Example: The lecturer shared valuable knowledge during the lecture.

3. Representing Food and Beverages:

Example: The recipe called for a cup of powdered sugar.

4. Naming Building Materials:

Example: The frame of the building was made of sturdy brick.

5. Representing Natural Elements:

Example: The garden paths was lined with smooth and beautiful stones.

These are some of the different purposes for using a material noun in a sentence.

Material Noun Rules in Sentence

When using a material noun, some English grammar rules must be followed to ensure proper usage of grammar. Take a look below at the material noun rules with examples.

Rules 1: Material nouns are uncountable; they do not have a plural form. So, they are always considered singular and accompanied by singular verbs (is/has/was).

Example:

Water becomes dirty. (Incorrect)

The water has become dirty. (Correct)

Rule 2: Articles like “a” or “an” are used with material nouns that are countable.

Example:

She bought diamond ring. (Incorrect)

She bought a diamond ring. (Correct)

Rule 3: Before material nouns, determiners like “some”, “a lot” and “little” can be used.

Example:

There is few water in the bottle. (Incorrect)

There is little water in the bottle. (Correct)

Rule 4: From the first rule, we know that material nouns are always considered in the singular form. That’s why “s” or “es” can not be used with them.

Example:

He purchased four-litre milks. (Incorrect)

He purchased four-litre milk. (Correct)

Rule 5: Using a number before a material noun is wrong.

Example:

There is one salt. (Incorrect)

There is one bowl of salt. (correct)

Rule 6: Whenever a material noun is used at the start of a sentence, its first letter is written in capital and it appears anywhere in the middle of a sentence, it should be written in small case only.

Example:

I like Gold. (Incorrect)

I like gold. (Correct)

These are the material noun rules you should remember while using them in a sentence.

Common Mistakes with Material Nouns

Here’s a rundown of common mistakes to avoid, ensuring your used material noun is correct in the sentence:

• Don’t use the article “a” or “an” before a material noun as they are uncountable.
• Do not use determiners like few, a few, the few and many before a material noun.
• Avoid using “S” to material nouns to form the plural.

These are the common mistakes you should avoid while using a material noun in a sentence.

Key Points to Remember in Material Noun

Here are some key points you should remember while using a material noun in your sentence:

1. Material nouns do not have a plural form.
2. Do not use the articles a/an before them.
3. They are uncountable but can be measured or weighed.
4. Material nouns are things that man cannot make, but by using the word, they can make many other things.
5. All material things like gold, silver, wood, rubber, and more are material nouns.
6. Most of the material nouns are generally obtained from nature, animals, plants or are man-made.

Material Noun Worksheet

Identify and underline the material nouns in the sentences below.

1. The ring is made of gold.
2. She bought a table made of wood.
3. Cotton is used to make clothes.
4. The bottle is filled with milk.
5. Iron is a strong metal.
6. My sweater is made from wool.
7. They exported bags of rice to the city.
8. He spilled oil on the floor.
9. Plastic is harmful to the environment.
10. The walls were built with bricks and cement.

Answers:

• gold
• wood
• cotton
• milk
• iron
• wool
• rice
• oil
• plastic
• bricks, cement

Conclusion

Summing up, we discussed the material noun and learned how they are used in English grammar. Further, we also have a look at the definition. Uses, rules, examples and common mistakes with material nouns. Now, having an understanding of this noun is important for students who are struggling with the English language.

FAQs

How Is a Material Noun Different From a Common Noun?

A common noun is a general name for a person, place, thing or idea. But a material noun specifically refers to the substance or material used to make things, such as “wood, glass, gold or plastic.”

Are Material Nouns Always Uncountable?

No, material nouns are not always uncountable; many material nouns like “wood” or “water” are uncountable, but some can be used as both countable and uncountable nouns depending on the context.

Can a Material Noun Act as a Countable Noun?

Yes, a material noun can act as a countable noun, although it is another thought of as uncountable in its primary senses. While material nouns generally refer to substances or materials, they can sometimes be used to refer to specific kinds or forms of those materials, making them countable.

What Are Some Examples of Material Noun Used in Daily Life?

Here are some examples of material nouns that are used in daily life:

• Water
• Wood
• Cotton
• Glass
• Gold
• Sunlight
• Silver
• Leather 

Are all Material Nouns Natural Substances?

No, not all material nouns are natural substances. Some also refer to processed or man-made materials like plastic, steel or glass.