matter of discourse

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "matter of discourse" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a topic or subject that is being discussed or debated. Example: "The matter of discourse during the meeting was the impact of climate change on local communities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

When Nat begins to preach, the movie shifts registers: its subject becomes, in significant part, a matter of discourse, of what Nat is saying — and of the look of that discourse.

The New Yorker

The main subject of the contemporary French cinema — albeit a subject that underlies the action and rarely comes to the fore — is infrastructure, and the infrastructure of modern French life is as much a matter of discourse as it is a matter of matter.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"It's another piece of evidence about the impact of the religious right," Mr. Silk said, "and of a kind of return of an older, almost 19th-century style of public discourse in which religion is much more a matter of common discourse".

The New York Times

"The thing that I found," he said, "is that something that is of only the most esoteric interest here -- forgiving third-world debt -- is a matter of everyday discourse in Europe.

The New York Times - Arts

A21 Lieberman Elaborates on Faith Senator Joseph I. Lieberman sought to explain his call for a greater role for religion in public life by saying he meant it as a matter of public discourse, not policy, adding he does not consider those who are not religious to be amoral or unfit for office.

The New York Times

Explaining his call for a greater role for religion in public life, Senator Joseph I. Lieberman says he meant it as a matter of public discourse, not public policy, adding that he does not consider those who are not religious to be amoral or unfit for public office.

The New York Times

If we're more sensitive than ever, as a society, to sexual abuse of all sorts, it's precisely because the subject of sex is a matter of public discourse and representations of all sorts, high and low; if our tolerance for violence is lower than ever, it's because the horror of it, even when it arouses laughter (see "The 40-Year-Old Virgin"), is presented more overtly than ever.

The New Yorker

Because Magic Johnson's sexual prowess has been a matter of public discourse and conversation for over 20 years.

Huffington Post

Despite the politicized dramatization of the Plains Aborigines, their "rediscovery" as a matter of public discourse has had a lasting effect on the increased socio-political reconceptualization of Taiwan emerging from the a Han Chinese dominant perspective into a wider acceptance of Taiwan as a multi-cultural and multi-ethnic community.

Wikipedia

She continued in the statement, "While I am extremely proud of the show we created, and the subject matter and level of discourse 'Parker Spitzer' promoted every night, it was a difficult decision to scale back my column a few months ago and, with the show going in a new direction, it is a good time to move on".

The New York Times

(Realism may be restricted to some subject-matter, or range of discourse, but for simplicity, we will talk about only its global form).

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "matter of discourse" to introduce a topic that requires thorough discussion or debate, especially in formal settings or academic writing.

Common error

Avoid using "matter of discourse" in casual conversations; opt for simpler alternatives like "topic of discussion" or "subject of conversation" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "matter of discourse" functions as a noun phrase, typically used to identify a subject or issue that is being discussed or debated. Ludwig examples highlight its use in formal contexts, aligning with the "aiResponseStatus" confirmation of its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "matter of discourse" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase, predominantly employed in formal settings to denote a subject under discussion. Ludwig highlights its usage across diverse authoritative sources, like The New York Times and scientific publications, underscoring its appropriateness in professional, academic, and journalistic contexts. While versatile, it's important to remember to use simpler alternatives in more casual environments. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's validity, advising careful consideration of the context to ensure its effective deployment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

subject of conversation

Replaces "discourse" with "conversation", implying a less formal discussion.

topic of discussion

Substitutes "discourse" with "discussion", focusing on a specific point being talked about.

point under consideration

Emphasizes the aspect of deliberation and thoughtfulness.

theme of the dialogue

Highlights the central idea within a conversation or exchange.

focus of the debate

Indicates the key issue being argued or contested.

area of discussion

Specifies a particular field or domain being talked about.

concern for discussion

Highlights the element of worry or importance attached to the topic.

object of deliberation

Shifts the focus to a more formal and thoughtful consideration.

issue at stake

Emphasizes the significance and potential consequences of the matter.

question under review

Implies a formal assessment or examination of the matter.

FAQs

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

You can use "matter of discourse" to refer to a topic being discussed, as in "The primary matter of discourse at the conference was climate change".

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

You can use alternatives like "topic of discussion", "subject of conversation", or "point under consideration" depending on the context.

Is "matter of discourse" formal or informal?

"Matter of discourse" is generally considered a formal phrase, suitable for academic, professional, or journalistic contexts. Using simpler terms might be better in casual settings.

How does "matter of discourse" differ from "topic of conversation"?

"Matter of discourse" implies a more structured and potentially formal discussion, while "topic of conversation" is more general and can apply to both formal and informal settings.