an unsettled matter

USAGE SUMMARY

"an unsettled matter" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to an issue or topic that has not been resolved or finalized. Example: "The committee is still discussing the proposal, as it remains an unsettled matter." Alternative expressions include "a pending issue" and "an unresolved issue."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

What sparks the disease is still an unsettled matter, but whatever the cause, the results are brain tissue atrophy and reduction of memory and thinking skills that increase over time.

MIT Technology Review

Second, for incidence-based studies, the appropriate approach for calculating the discount is still an unsettled matter in the literature [ 49].

Globalization and Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

TopoIB represents a special case because its presence in LACA relies on whether Archaea and Eukaryotes are sister lineages, a currently unsettled matter (see below).

Genome Biology and Evolution

Adolescence is, of course, an unsettled subject.

The Guardian - Books

What constitutes a proper fundamental structure for such a series of studies is an unsettled issue.

Advances in Computers

Such a transition has been attracting a great deal of interest and remains an unsettled issue.

Nanoscale Research Letters

So the extent by which TE contribute to the host proteome remain an unsettled issue.

Biology Direct

(34) The origin of the D band at 1350 cm−1 is an unsettled issue.

Analytical Chemistry

Disputes over the interpretation of the treaty led the Spartans to dispatch ambassadors to Athens with full powers to arrange all unsettled matters.

Wikipedia

The ideal issue is an interesting, public, and unsettled matter, which however needs to be settled in the near future [10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16].

European Journal of Futures Research

In spite of multiple approaches, the importance of differential selection in shaping genotype proportions thus remains an interesting, but largely unsettled, matter in all-hybrid populations as well as in other water frog breeding systems.

BMC Ecology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair the phrase with verbs like 'remains', 'is still', or 'stays' to emphasize the ongoing nature of the lack of resolution.

Common error

Avoid using 'an unsettling matter' if your intention is merely to say that a question is unanswered. 'Unsettling' means disturbing or making one feel uneasy, whereas 'unsettled' refers specifically to something that has not been decided or finalized.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an unsettled matter" functions primarily as a noun phrase acting as a subject complement or direct object. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, it is frequently used with the copular verb 'to be' (e.g., 'is an unsettled matter') or 'remains'. It serves to categorize a specific topic as lacking a definitive conclusion or consensus.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

35%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Legal & Formal

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "an unsettled matter" is a highly versatile and correct English phrase used to describe situations, questions, or disputes that lack a final resolution. Data from Ludwig AI demonstrates its strong presence in authoritative news outlets and peer-reviewed scientific journals, confirming its status as a staple of formal and professional writing. Whether you are discussing the causes of a disease, legal wrangling over a treaty, or the nuances of scientific theory, this phrase provides a sophisticated way to signal that the 'last word' has yet to be spoken. Writers should be careful not to confuse it with its emotive cousin, 'unsettling', and should feel confident using it to maintain an objective and analytical tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an unresolved issue

Shifts focus from the general 'matter' to a more specific 'issue' that requires a solution.

an open question

Commonly used in scientific and academic contexts to suggest a topic still under inquiry.

a matter of debate

Emphasizes the active disagreement or public discussion surrounding the topic.

a pending question

Suggests that an answer is expected or awaited in the near future.

a disputed point

Focuses on the fact that different parties have conflicting views on the subject.

an outstanding dispute

More formal and often used in legal or business contexts to denote an ongoing conflict.

an undecided topic

Simplifies the expression by using a direct adjective to describe the lack of choice or result.

a lingering problem

Implies that the lack of resolution has persisted for a long and perhaps annoying time.

an open-ended problem

Suggests the matter lacks a clear boundary or a single definitive answer.

an unfinished business

A more idiomatic expression that often carries a sense of personal or professional obligation.

FAQs

How do I use "an unsettled matter" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe any topic without a final decision, such as: "The exact cause of the phenomenon remains "an unsettled matter" in the scientific community."

What is a more formal alternative to "an unsettled matter"?

In highly technical contexts, you might use "an unresolved issue" or "an open question" depending on whether you are referring to a problem or a query.

Can I use "an unsettled matter" in business writing?

Yes, it is perfectly appropriate for professional contexts to describe a contract or a project detail that has not yet been finalized. A common alternative is "a pending matter".

What is the difference between "an unsettled matter" and "a matter of debate"?

"an unsettled matter" simply means no decision has been made, while "a matter of debate" explicitly highlights that people are actively arguing about it.