material可以是名词,也可是形容词；而substance就只是名词.就名词意义而言,二者最大的区别就是：material其实指（原）材料； 而substance则是物质（更泛指意义上的材料）.具体辨析如下：
① material
a) The substance or substances out of which a thing is or can be made.--> 能构成其它thing的substance.就是说material是substance的特例,即原材料.
b) Something,such as an idea or information,that is to be refined and made or incorporated into a finished effort.--> 抽象意义上的材料,素材或基础信息.
c) material(s) Tools or apparatus for the performance of a given task.--> 复数s形式,指材料工具.
d) Yard goods or cloth.---> 布料或院子里堆放的杂货.
e) A person who is qualified or suited for a position or activity.---> 具有某种特质或资格的人.
② substance
a) That which has mass and occupies space; matter./ A material of a particular kind or constitution.
泛指占据某种空间或时间的物质； 或某种具体类型的物质.即具体或抽象皆可的物质.
b) Essential nature； essence/Gist,heart.本质,要素或心灵上的抽象物质
c) That which is solid and practical in character,quality,or importance.某种具体特质或意义.
d) Density; body.--> 密度,实体.
e) Material possessions; goods; wealth.--> 资产,实力,财富等（也是具体意义的物质）.
总结,material相较substance,是具体的（无论抽象与否）可组成其它事物的物质,是substance的子集.Substance更泛指,同样无论抽象与否.