essence of the matter

USAGE SUMMARY

"essence of the matter" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to the most important part of something, typically a discussion or argument. For example, "The essence of the matter is that we need to find a way to compromise."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

The essence of the matter is bigotry and foul play".

The New York Times

The essence of the matter is plain, however.

The Washington Post

I'm not writing so the details add up – the point is the essence of the matter".

The Guardian - Books

Through art one can sometimes get straight to the essence of the matter and almost get an intuitive comprehension that might otherwise take years of study.

The New York Times - Science

But while these might eventually move us to act, "we intuitively feel that's not the essence of the matter: the essence is more what the religious people say about taking care of creation".

The New Yorker

Hendrik Hertzberg caught the essence of the matter earlier this year, describing in The New Yorker his arrival in Paris at age 17: "At the earliest possible moment, I did four things.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

So then what's the essence of this matter?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

According to this theory, the essence of the prime matter, which constitutes any individual, has different grades of purity.

SEP

The season's theme, "The Heart of the Matter — Finding the essence of eternity in a changing world," reflects the company's journey from its beginnings in 1992 at its leased base in Glendale to the present and on the eve of moving to its new space in Pasadena, said Julia Rodriguez-Elliott who is co-artistic director with her husband Geoff Elliott.

Los Angeles Times

Though we ordinarily think that we desire objects because they are "valuable" (i.e., because they supposedly have this "mystical, incomprehensible essence"), the fact of the matter, says Ehrenfels, is that we ascribe value to objects because we desire them (Ehrenfels 1897, 2, also see Fabian in Albertazzi et al. 1996, 166).

SEP

But revivals are never going to quite capture the essence of the original, no matter how many easter eggs they pack in there.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "essence of the matter" to introduce the most crucial aspect of a complex issue or argument, ensuring your audience grasps the central point immediately. For example, "The essence of the matter is that without funding, the project cannot proceed."

Common error

Avoid using "essence of the matter" repeatedly in close proximity, as it can make your writing sound repetitive. Instead, vary your language by using synonyms or rephrasing to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "essence of the matter" functions as a noun phrase that typically serves as the subject complement or an appositive within a sentence. It identifies or renames the central point or most important aspect being discussed. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

33%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "essence of the matter" is a commonly used and grammatically sound way to refer to the most important aspect of a situation or discussion. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature. It appears most frequently in News & Media and Academic contexts, indicating a neutral to slightly formal tone. While the phrase is effective, it's important to avoid overuse and consider alternative phrases like "core of the matter" or "heart of the matter" to maintain variety in writing. Its function is to highlight the central point and ensure clarity, making it a valuable tool for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Core of the matter

Replaces "essence" with "core", emphasizing the central and indispensable part.

Heart of the matter

Substitutes "essence" with "heart", highlighting the emotional or most vital part.

Gist of the matter

Replaces "essence" with "gist", focusing on the main point or summary.

Crux of the matter

Replaces "essence" with "crux", pinpointing the most decisive or critical point.

Nub of the matter

Substitutes "essence" with "nub", referring to the central point in a concise way.

Point of the matter

Highlights the importance of a specific detail in discussion.

The long and short of it

Focuses on brevity by summing up a potentially lengthy situation or explanation.

Root of the matter

Changes "essence" to "root", emphasizing the fundamental cause or origin.

The substance of the matter

Replaces "essence" with "substance", emphasizing the essential content or meaning.

Significant element

Replaces the expression "essence of the matter" with a more generic term to indicate the most important aspect or element.

FAQs

What does "essence of the matter" mean?

The phrase "essence of the matter" refers to the most important or fundamental aspect of something, such as a situation, problem, or discussion. It's about getting to the heart of the issue.

How can I use "essence of the matter" in a sentence?

You can use "essence of the matter" to introduce the core point. For example, "The essence of the matter is that we need to address the underlying causes, not just the symptoms."

What can I say instead of "essence of the matter"?

You can use alternatives like "core of the matter", "heart of the matter", or "gist of the matter" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "essence of the matter" formal or informal?

"Essence of the matter" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal settings, you might consider alternatives such as "the substance" or "the crux" for a slightly more elevated tone.