examine a matter

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "examine a matter" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the act of investigating or analyzing a specific issue or topic. Example: "The committee will examine a matter of great importance during the upcoming meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Admiral Lee said the cause of the explosion would not be known until the ship's wreckage was raised and examined, a matter of days at the least.

The New York Times

Furthermore, using a standardized and established method that produces a single overall score like the SUS makes the outcome comparable to possible future studies that examine a similar matter.

BioMed Research International

It is recommended that UNICEF and GOI examine, as a matter of urgency, the reduction of the number of proposals received in anyone year by UNICEF.

Unicef

The European Council asks the Council to examine as a matter of urgency the forthcoming Commission White Paper on food safety, which will also provide for the possible establishment of an independent food agency and support for national food safety measures, as well as its communication on the precautionary principle.

European Parliament

Recognising the cost of meeting the Millennium Development Goals at $50 billion a year, we ask Europe and America to maximise their development spending by examining as a matter of urgency the means by which the $12 billion a year boost to aid can be made to go much further and its benefits maximised.

Unicef

Issues related to scarcity, education, and the environment have persisted throughout history - just browse a bible, or examine a cave painting for that matter, to understand the challenges that have defined our society for ages.

Huffington Post

A spokesman for the NCA said it would "examine a number of potentially criminal matters identified during a recent inspection of Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council".

BBC

To solve such capacity-based supply problems, the potential savings from making demand more flexible, from expanding the network and storage, and from the cogeneration of heat and power should be examined as a matter of principle in addition to considering a possibly expensive realignment of the design of the electricity market [[37]].

Energy, Sustainability and Society

A future Matters column will examine a few of them.

The New York Times

It is recommended that the Preparatory Commission should be left free to examine all matters relevant to the proposals under consideration.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

The accountability office also examined a sampling of matters that were closed without further action, finding several cases — including the curtailed voter intimidation inquiry — in which supervisors rejected the recommendations of career lawyers to go forward.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "examine a matter" in formal writing, ensure that the context clearly indicates the scope and purpose of the examination.

Common error

Avoid using "examine a matter" in casual conversations or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "look into" or "check out" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "examine a matter" functions as a verb phrase, where "examine" is the verb and "a matter" is the object. Ludwig AI indicates that it's a grammatically correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

30%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "examine a matter" is a grammatically correct and versatile expression used to describe the act of investigating or analyzing a specific issue. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. It is commonly found in news, science, and formal business contexts, indicating a neutral to formal register. While alternatives like "investigate a topic" or "look into an issue" exist, "examine a matter" remains a strong choice for conveying a deliberate and thoughtful inquiry.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Investigate a topic

Replaces "examine" with the more direct verb "investigate", focusing on a formal inquiry.

Inquire into a matter

Replaces "examine" with "inquire", focusing on seeking information about a specific issue.

Analyze a subject

Substitutes "examine" with "analyze", emphasizing a detailed and systematic study.

Look into an issue

Offers a more informal alternative to "examine", suitable for less formal contexts.

Consider a question

Replaces "examine" with "consider", focusing on thoughtful deliberation.

Explore a problem

Uses "explore" instead of "examine", highlighting the act of discovering and understanding a complex issue.

Assess a situation

Replaces "examine" with "assess", emphasizing the evaluation of a specific set of circumstances.

Review a case

Offers an alternative suitable for legal or formal contexts, replacing "examine" with "review".

Study a phenomenon

Uses "study" instead of "examine", often used in scientific contexts.

Delve into a subject

Provides a more intensive and in-depth alternative to "examine".

FAQs

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

You can use "examine a matter" to describe the act of investigating or analyzing a specific issue. For example, "The committee will examine a matter of great importance during the upcoming meeting".

What can I say instead of "examine a matter"?

You can use alternatives like "investigate a topic", "look into an issue", or "consider a question" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "examine a matter" or "examine the matter"?

Both "examine a matter" and "examine the matter" are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "Examine a matter" refers to examining a specific, but not necessarily previously identified, issue. "Examine the matter" refers to examining a particular issue that has already been mentioned or is otherwise known to both the speaker and the listener.

What's the difference between "examine a matter" and "analyze a subject"?

"Examine a matter" implies a general investigation, while "analyze a subject" suggests a more detailed and systematic study. The choice depends on the depth and scope of the investigation.