matter to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "matter to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express the significance or importance of something to someone or something else. Example: "Your opinion really matters to me when making this decision."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Animals matter to tourists.

Independent

Politics matter to Petkovic.

The New York Times - Sports

"Didn't matter to me.

The New Yorker

He needed matter to illuminate".

The New Yorker

It doesn't matter to us".

The New York Times - Sports

That didn't matter to Baird.

Independent

Do rankings matter to you?

The New York Times

That should matter to shareholders.

The New York Times

ECONOMIC fundamentals matter to investors.

The Economist

Regulars matter to a restaurant.

The New York Times - Food

Does it matter to you?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "matter to", ensure that the context clearly defines who or what is affected. For instance, "Customer satisfaction matters to us" clearly indicates the subject and the impact.

Common error

Avoid using "matter to" without specifying who or what is affected. Saying "It doesn't matter" lacks clarity; instead, specify, "It doesn't matter to the outcome" or "It doesn't matter to me."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "matter to" functions as a verb phrase, expressing the significance or importance of something or someone. Ludwig AI examples show it linking a subject with the recipient of the impact or relevance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "matter to" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to convey the importance or relevance of something. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's prevalent in various contexts, especially in news and media, where it is used to emphasize the impact or effect of different subjects. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying to whom or what something matters. While generally neutral in register, it fits seamlessly into both formal and informal communication. Keep in mind the subject-verb agreement; use "matter to" for plural subjects and "matters to" for singular subjects. Common synonyms include "be important to" and "be significant to", offering alternative ways to express the same idea.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be important to

Replaces "matter" with a more direct synonym for significance, making the phrase slightly more straightforward.

be significant to

Highlights the noteworthiness or importance of something, similar to "be important to" but with a focus on recognition.

hold significance for

Similar to "be significant to", but may suggest a deeper, more personal importance.

be of consequence to

Emphasizes the importance from a results/impact perspective, adding a layer of gravity to the statement.

be relevant to

Focuses on the pertinence or applicability of something to a particular context or person.

make a difference to

Emphasizes that something has a positive impact or effect on someone or something.

carry weight with

Implies influence or importance in someone's decision-making or opinion.

be of interest to

Highlights that something is engaging or worth paying attention to for someone.

register with

Suggests that something makes an impression or has an effect on someone.

cut any ice with

An idiomatic expression that questions if something has any influence or impact on someone.

FAQs

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

You can use "matter to" to indicate importance or relevance. For example, "Your opinion "matters to" me", or "Details "matter to" luxury car buyers".

What's a formal alternative to "matter to"?

A more formal alternative to "matter to" is "be of consequence to". For example, instead of saying "These issues "matter to" us all", you could say "These issues are of consequence to us all".

Which is correct, "matter to" or "matters to"?

The correct form depends on the subject. Use "matter to" with plural subjects (e.g., "Details "matter to" luxury car buyers") and "matters to" with singular subjects (e.g., "Your opinion "matters to" me").

What can I say instead of "it doesn't matter to me"?

Alternatives to "it doesn't "matter to" me" include "it's not important to me", "it's irrelevant to me", or "I'm not concerned about it".