it must matter

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it must matter" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing the importance or significance of something in a particular context. Example: "In the grand scheme of things, it must matter how we treat each other."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

It must matter.

The New Yorker

If cultural recognition is important to minorities, it must matter to majorities too.

The Guardian - Opinion

If it means a lot to me, then it must matter to someone else as well, and if that's the vocabulary or language we have to speak to each other, that's to be honoured and that's beautiful.

The Guardian - Music

What one cannot and should not do is to say 'it mattered there and so it must matter here'.

SEP

As Sweden and Denmark are placed at either end on the continuum of citizenship requirements, the seemingly obvious expectation was that it must matter to immigrants' subjective experience of citizenship.

Comparative Migration Studies

But if actual detention matters for proportionate sentencing in the pre-trial context, it must matter as well for the post-sentence context, and this would make it effectively impossible to pursue both proportionate punishment and post-sentence detention.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Empathy must matter if it's got Facebook's attention.

The Guardian - Opinion

Our votes must matter.

Independent

Accuracy must matter, too.

The New York Times

"What you do must matter deeply to you," they wrote.

The New York Times

Any election, no matter how ramshackle, must matter in a democracy.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it must matter" when you want to emphasize the importance or necessity of something, especially when there might be doubt or uncertainty.

Common error

Avoid using "it must matter" in situations where the importance is already obvious or widely accepted. Overusing it can dilute its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it must matter" functions as a modal expression, combining the modal verb 'must' to indicate necessity or logical conclusion, with 'matter' to convey significance or importance. Ludwig AI confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it must matter" is a modal expression used to assert the importance or relevance of something, often in contexts where that significance is being questioned or overlooked. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. While found in both formal and informal contexts, its usage leans towards professional settings, commonly appearing in news, media, and scientific publications. Related phrases include "it is essential", "it is crucial", and "it is significant". Avoid using the phrase when the importance is already obvious to maintain its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is essential

Replaces 'must' with 'is essential' to emphasize necessity.

it is crucial

Substitutes 'must' with 'is crucial' to highlight critical importance.

it is significant

Replaces 'matter' with 'is significant' focusing on importance.

it is of consequence

Uses a more formal tone to indicate importance.

it is imperative

Emphasizes the urgency and necessity of the matter.

it is vital

Highlights the importance of something for a specific outcome.

it is relevant

Focuses on the pertinence of something to the current situation.

it is important

A more general way of expressing that something matters.

it is material

Uses a more formal term ('material') for 'matter'.

it is pertinent

Highlights the relevance of a particular aspect.

FAQs

How can I use "it must matter" in a sentence?

You can use "it must matter" to emphasize the importance of something. For instance, "If cultural recognition is important to minorities, "it must matter" to majorities too".

What does "it must matter" mean?

"It must matter" indicates that something should be considered important or significant, often suggesting that the importance is not fully recognized or appreciated.

What can I say instead of "it must matter"?

You can use alternatives like "it is essential", "it is crucial", or "it is significant" depending on the context.

Is "it must matter" a formal or informal phrase?

"It must matter" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its formality depends more on the surrounding language and the overall tone of the communication.