earlier matter

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "earlier matter" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a topic or issue that was discussed or mentioned previously in a conversation or document. Example: "In reference to the earlier matter, I would like to provide some additional insights."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

In 1999, in an earlier matter, Quality King agreed to destroy $1 million worth of counterfeit Paul Mitchell products.

The New York Times

However, a lawyer for Ms. Troiano, Howard H. Weiswasser, said it was his understanding that "she was detained and released" in the earlier matter, though he said he did not represent her at that time.

The New York Times

Calabrese et al. (2008) noted design and methodologic differences with Calabrese et al. (2006), but the earlier matter remains unresolved.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

This material proves to be far knottier and more diffuse than Mr. Brands's earlier subject matter.

The New York Times - Books

Early Matters, a European symposium on improving early childhood education and care (ECEC), was held in Brussels, 14 October 2008.

International Journal of Child Care and Education Policy

As indicated earlier, the matter of the aforementioned unacceptable negative depth has been addressed in detail and satisfactorily treated here, as will be seen in the "Formulation of the inverse problem and the proposed steps of its solving" section.

Earth, Planets and Space

As we indicated earlier, no matter how clear and well-written it is, no ethical will is a legal document, nor is it intended to act as one.

Huffington Post

Why the early years matter A child's earliest years are crucial for physical, emotional and intellectual development.

Unicef

The series is part of UNICEF's #EarlyMomentsMatter campaign, which emphasizes the impact of early childhood experiences and environments on brain development.

Huffington Post

Ultimately, these studies do say the same thing: The earliest years matter!

The New York Times

"I'm always 10 minutes early, no matter where I go".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In academic writing, "earlier matter" can succinctly refer to a previously covered subject or research point, avoiding unnecessary repetition.

Common error

Avoid using "earlier matter" when referring to ongoing issues. Ensure the matter has been fully addressed or resolved before using this phrase to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "earlier matter" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject complement or within prepositional phrases to refer back to a previously discussed topic or issue. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "earlier matter" is a grammatically correct and usable noun phrase employed to refer to a previously addressed topic. While relatively rare in overall usage, it finds its primary context in news and media, and scientific discourse. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, indicating it's a useful tool for maintaining clarity in formal communications. When aiming for conciseness and professionalism, this phrase can serve as an effective means of referencing prior subjects, though in more casual settings, simpler alternatives may be preferred.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

previous issue

Replaces "matter" with "issue", focusing on a problem or subject of concern.

prior topic

Substitutes "matter" with "topic", emphasizing the subject of discussion.

previous concern

Emphasizes the aspect of worry involved in the subject.

previous item

Replaces "matter" with "item", focusing on it being part of an enumerated list or collection.

aforementioned subject

Replaces both words with synonyms that indicate formality and the topic previously mentioned.

past affair

Swaps "matter" with "affair", suggesting a more significant or problematic situation.

historical case

Replaces both words with synonyms highlighting a legal or investigative situation of the past.

bygone issue

Focuses on the fact that the concern belongs to the past.

former subject

Replaces "matter" with "subject", emphasizing the content under consideration previously.

preceding point

Emphasizes the point having been made prior to the current one.

FAQs

How can I use "earlier matter" in a sentence?

You can use "earlier matter" to refer to a topic or issue that was discussed or mentioned previously. For example, "In reference to the "earlier matter", I would like to provide some additional insights."

What can I say instead of "earlier matter"?

You can use alternatives like "previous issue", "prior topic", or "aforementioned subject" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "earlier matter" in informal contexts?

While grammatically correct, "earlier matter" leans towards formal usage. In informal contexts, simpler alternatives like "what we talked about before" or "the previous thing" might be more suitable.

How does "earlier matter" differ from "later matter"?

"Earlier matter" refers to something discussed or dealt with in the past, whereas "later matter" refers to something that will be addressed or discussed in the future. They are used to distinguish between points in time within a discussion or document.