be a matter for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be a matter for" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that a particular issue or situation is the responsibility or concern of someone or something. Example: "This decision will be a matter for the board of directors to discuss at their next meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This should be a matter for parliament".

The Guardian - Opinion

This may or may not be a matter for regret.

The Economist

Should that be a matter for the courts?

The New York Times

What happens thereafter will be a matter for the parliament".

The Guardian

Yesterday, the law minister suggested the issue would be a matter for the courts.

Independent

"The action he takes will be a matter for him," he said.

Independent

"Whether he should step down or not will be a matter for the prime minister".

The Guardian

Also, he has said that this should be a matter for each local district to decide.

The New York Times

"That's going to be a matter for the Electoral Commission, but hopefully very soon".

The Guardian

Mr. Sherman said that this, too, would likely be a matter for appeal.

The New York Times

In leaving the EU, British access to those funds will be a matter for debate.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be a matter for", ensure that the entity or authority responsible is clearly identified to avoid ambiguity. For example, "The final decision will be a matter for the board of directors."

Common error

Avoid using "be a matter for" when the responsibility is unclear or shared. Instead, clarify the specific roles and responsibilities of each party involved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be a matter for" primarily functions as a predicate adjective, indicating that a subject is within the responsibility, concern, or authority of a specified entity. This is supported by the diverse examples available on Ludwig, where the phrase consistently attributes responsibility or jurisdiction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be a matter for" is a versatile phrase used to assign responsibility, jurisdiction, or concern to a specific entity. As shown in various examples on Ludwig, it's grammatically sound and frequently appears in news, science, and formal business contexts. While the phrase follows standard grammar rules, as also stated by Ludwig AI, it's important to ensure clarity in assigning responsibility to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as ""be the responsibility of"" or ""fall within the purview of"" can be used depending on the specific context. When writing, pay attention to who should be concerned and make this relation explicit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be the responsibility of

Directly indicates who is accountable or in charge.

be the concern of

Focuses on who should be worried or interested in a particular issue.

rest with

Suggests that the decision-making power or authority lies with someone.

be within the jurisdiction of

Highlights the legal or official power to make decisions or take action.

be up to

Indicates that someone has the power or authority to decide something.

lie in the hands of

Emphasizes that control or decision-making power is held by a specific person or group.

fall within the purview of

Emphasizes that something is within the scope of authority or responsibility.

be governed by

Highlights that something is controlled or regulated by a particular set of rules or authority.

be subject to

Indicates that something is affected by or dependent on a particular entity or process.

pertain to

Implies a direct relevance or connection to a specific entity or topic.

FAQs

How can I use "be a matter for" in a sentence?

Use "be a matter for" to indicate that a decision, responsibility, or concern belongs to a specific person or entity. For example, "The appeal will be a matter for the courts".

What phrases are similar to "be a matter for"?

Alternatives include "be the responsibility of", "fall within the purview of", or "be within the jurisdiction of depending on the specific context".

Is it correct to say "become a matter for" instead of "be a matter for"?

Yes, "become a matter for" can be used to indicate that something is now under the responsibility or concern of a particular entity. However, "be a matter for" suggests a more inherent or ongoing responsibility.

What's the difference between "be a matter for" and "be a concern of"?

"Be a matter for" typically implies a formal responsibility or decision-making power, while "be a concern of" suggests something that should be worried about or given attention by a particular entity.