a matter of direction

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a matter of direction" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing guidance, choices, or the course of action in a particular situation. Example: "When it comes to career choices, it's often a matter of direction that determines one's success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

A MATTER OF DIRECTION Which way is inflation headed?

The New York Times

Part of this, I am astonished to say, is a matter of direction.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Is it a matter of temporal direction, or something else such as the direction of forking, the direction of overdetermination, the direction of independence, or the direction of manipulation?

SEP

It is a matter of intelligent direction addressed to the intelligence and reason of those whom it directs.

SEP

"It is a matter of which direction is the ball coming, where is the head?

The New Yorker

"It just a matter of the direction that they want to take.

The New York Times - Sports

"I'm up for it, it's just a matter of the direction that they decide to go with the show," she told The Hollywood Reporter.

Huffington Post

Ms. Yip, whether as a matter of choice or direction, plays Raffi throughout in a state of stunned distraction, rising at one point to anger.

The New York Times

The strong correlation between perception of norm and preferences suggests that the disagreement between the two is a matter of degree rather than of direction.

BMC Medical Ethics

The question, when examining the Cast Lead operation in Gaza, was whether there was something different, something exceptional and intentional and, especially, a matter of policy and command direction, that either trapped or targeted large numbers of civilians, resulting in a human tragedy far beyond the horrible reality of the very fact of warfare.

Huffington Post

Mr. Rando said he had learned that leadership could be a matter of pointing someone in the direction they were already headed.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a matter of direction" when you want to emphasize that the choice of a specific path or guidance is the determining factor in a situation's outcome. For example, "Success in this project is often "a matter of direction", requiring careful planning and strategic execution."

Common error

Avoid using "a matter of direction" when you actually mean "directness". "Direction" refers to guidance or a course of action, while "directness" implies straightforwardness or lack of ambiguity. For instance, instead of saying "His communication lacked a matter of direction", consider "His communication lacked directness" if you mean he wasn't being straightforward.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a matter of direction" functions as a noun phrase that indicates the importance of guidance, choices, or a course of action in determining an outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a matter of direction" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that emphasizes the importance of guidance, choices, or a course of action in determining an outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, its suitability spans various contexts, from formal to informal. While not exceedingly frequent, it conveys the crucial role of strategic decisions, and it's important to differentiate it from similar-sounding terms like "directness". When employing this phrase, emphasize the significance of carefully chosen paths in achieving desired results.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a course of action

Emphasizes the action to be taken more than the guiding principles.

a question of guidance

Focuses on the aspect of providing guidance rather than the specific course of action.

a question of leadership

Emphasizes the role of leadership in determining the path forward.

a point of orientation

Highlights the need for establishing a clear sense of orientation.

a line of approach

Indicates a specific approach or method to be used.

a route to follow

Specifies the existence of a defined route or path.

a pathway forward

Suggests a more progressive or exploratory course of action.

a strategic imperative

Highlights the strategic importance of the chosen direction.

a matter of policy

Shifts the focus to established policies or regulations.

a question of procedure

Highlights procedural aspects rather than overall orientation.

FAQs

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

You can use "a matter of direction" to emphasize that success or failure hinges on the chosen path or guidance. For example, "The company's future is "a matter of direction"; they must choose wisely."

What's a similar phrase to "a matter of direction"?

Similar phrases include "a question of guidance", "a question of leadership", or "a course of action", depending on the specific context.

Is "a matter of direction" formal or informal?

"A matter of direction" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and sentence structure.

What does it mean when something is described as "a matter of direction"?

When something is described as "a matter of direction", it means that the outcome largely depends on the guidance, decisions, or course of action taken. It highlights the importance of strategic choices in achieving a desired result.