a matter of course

USAGE SUMMARY

"a matter of course" is a correct phrase in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to something that is expected or accepted as normal. For example: "Getting her degree was a matter of course for Isabelle, who had worked extremely hard over the past four years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It was all a matter of course.

The Guardian - Music

Univision now covers Cuba as a matter of course.

The New Yorker

But most took it as a matter of course.

The New York Times

Leaks are used by journalists as a matter of course.

The New York Times

It was simply, he said, a matter of course.

The New York Times - Sports

You make believe as a matter of course.

The New York Times - Books

So aggressive care is given as a matter of course.

The New York Times

People take against whoever's winning as a matter of course".

The Guardian - Sport

"People around here take this as a matter of course.

The New York Times

"This is not just done as a matter of course.

The New York Times

Preschool centers should be included as a matter of course.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a matter of course" to convey that a particular action, procedure, or event is standard, expected, and requires no special attention or deviation. For example, "Background checks are a matter of course for all new employees."

Common error

While "a matter of course" is a useful idiom, overuse can make writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "standard practice" or "as expected" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a matter of course" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate that an action or event is normal, expected, or routine. As confirmed by Ludwig, it highlights the standard and unremarkable nature of something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a matter of course" is a common idiomatic phrase used to describe something that is normal, expected, or routine. Ludwig confirms its correctness in written English. It functions as an adverbial phrase, indicating that an action occurs as a standard part of a process. The phrase is versatile and suitable for various contexts, including news, science, and formal business. While "a matter of course" is widely accepted, it's important to use it judiciously and consider synonyms like "as expected" or ""standard practice"" to avoid redundancy. Its frequent usage across authoritative sources underscores its reliability and broad understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

standard practice

Highlights that something is a common or accepted method in a particular field.

as expected

Focuses on the expectation aspect, highlighting that something happens as predicted.

par for the course

Implies that something is normal or to be expected, especially in a negative situation.

routinely

Emphasizes the habitual or regular nature of an action.

typically

Indicates that something is done in a way that is usual or representative.

as is customary

Highlights that something follows established traditions or norms.

business as usual

Suggests that operations or activities continue normally despite disruptions or changes.

as a rule

Emphasizes that something generally happens in a specific way.

by default

Indicates that something happens automatically unless an alternative is specified.

naturally

Suggests that something occurs without effort or intervention.

FAQs

How can I use "a matter of course" in a sentence?

Use "a matter of course" to indicate that something is a normal or expected procedure. For instance, "Regular maintenance is "standard practice" and considered "a matter of course"."

What does "a matter of course" mean?

It means something that is normal, routine, or expected. It implies that no special attention or deviation from the standard is needed.

Are there any synonyms for "a matter of course"?

Yes, you can use phrases like "as expected", "routinely", or ""standard practice"" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "a matter of course" in formal writing?

Yes, "a matter of course" is suitable for both formal and informal writing. Its usage depends more on the context than the level of formality.