matter
talking about a problem
The matter is used after what, something, anything, or nothing to talk about a problem or difficulty. You use the matter in the same way as an adjective like wrong. For example, instead of saying ‘Is something wrong?’ you can say ‘Is something the matter?’
What's the matter?
There's something the matter with your eyes.
Be careful
Don't use ‘the matter’ with this meaning in other types of sentence. Don't say, for example, ‘The matter is that we don’t know where she is'. Say ‘The problem is that we don’t know where she is' or ‘The trouble is that we don’t know where she is'.
Don't use ‘the matter’ with this meaning in other types of sentence. Don't say, for example, ‘The matter is that we don’t know where she is'. Say ‘The problem is that we don’t know where she is' or ‘The trouble is that we don’t know where she is'.
The problem is that she can't cook.
The trouble is there isn't enough money.
‘It doesn’t matter'
When someone apologizes to you, you can say ‘It doesn’t matter.' Don't say ‘No matter’.
‘I’ve only got dried milk.' – ‘It doesn’t matter.'
‘no matter’
You use no matter in expressions such as no matter what and no matter how to say that something happens or is true in all circumstances.
He does what he wants, no matter what I say.
Call me when you get home, no matter how late it is.
Don't use no matter to mention something that makes your main statement seem surprising. Don't say, for example, ‘No matter the rain, we carried on playing’. Say ‘In spite of the rain, we carried on playing’ or ‘Despite the rain, we carried on playing’
In spite of his ill health, my father was always cheerful.
➜ See in spite of - despite
used as a countable noun
A matter is a situation that someone has to deal with.
I wanted to talk to you about a personal matter.
This is a matter for the police.
You can use the plural form matters to refer to a situation that has just been discussed.
There is only one applicant for the job, which makes matters easier.
His attitude did not help matters.
Be careful
When matters has this meaning, don't put ‘the’ in front of it. Don't say, for example ‘His attitude did not help the matters.’
When matters has this meaning, don't put ‘the’ in front of it. Don't say, for example ‘His attitude did not help the matters.’