matter of days

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "matter of days" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something will happen very soon, within a few days. Example: "The project deadline is approaching, and we expect to have the final results in a matter of days."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A matter of days.

Independent

"It could be a matter of days.

Independent

It seems like a matter of days.

The New York Times

"It is only a matter of days".

The New York Times

"It is a matter of days".

The New York Times - Arts

It'll be only a matter of days".

The Guardian

Recovery takes a matter of days.

The New York Times

Mapping Ancient Civilization, in a Matter of Days using LiDAR!

University of California, Berkeley

Novels are read in a matter of days, even hours.

The New York Times - Books

This growth can even happen within a matter of days.

The New York Times

They track down Lou in a matter of days.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "matter of days" with other time indicators for emphasis, like, "The situation will resolve itself in a matter of days, if not sooner."

Common error

Avoid using "matter of days" when the actual timeframe is uncertain or potentially longer. Overusing the phrase can diminish its impact and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "matter of days" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, indicating the timeframe in which an action will occur. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and is widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Academia

24%

Science

14%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "matter of days" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that something will occur very soon. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate for various contexts, from news reports to academic discussions. While alternatives like "within days" or "shortly" exist, "matter of days" effectively conveys a quick turnaround time. Bear in mind its register: although "matter of days" is widely considered neutral, it has limited usage in social media and in general, it's safe to use in any context and the message will be well received by your audience. Overusing the phrase should be avoided to maintain its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

within days

Emphasizes the inclusion of the current day in the timeframe.

in a few days

Highlights the brevity and small number of days involved.

in a short time

Focuses on the brief duration without specifying the unit of time.

in the coming days

Implies the days are approaching and yet to occur.

over the next few days

Specifies a sequence of days following the present.

in short order

Indicates something will happen promptly or without delay.

before long

Suggests an imminent occurrence in the near future.

in the near term

Emphasizes a relatively close timeframe for something to occur.

in due course

Suggests something will happen at an appropriate time without specifying exactly when.

shortly

Simply means something will occur soon.

FAQs

How can I use "matter of days" in a sentence?

You can use "matter of days" to indicate that something will happen very soon. For instance, "The repairs should be completed in a matter of days."

What can I say instead of "matter of days"?

You can use alternatives like "within days", "in a few days", or "shortly" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "in matter of days" instead of "matter of days"?

No, the correct phrase is "matter of days". The inclusion of the preposition "in" is grammatically incorrect in this context.

What is the difference between "matter of days" and "matter of weeks"?

"Matter of days" implies a timeframe of just a few days, while "matter of weeks" suggests a longer period spanning several weeks. Both phrases indicate a relatively short duration, but "matter of weeks" is significantly longer than "matter of days".