matter to reply

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "matter to reply" is not correct in standard written English.
It seems to be an incomplete expression and lacks clarity in meaning. Example: "There are several matters to reply to in this discussion."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

W. H. K. Pollock commented, "It is no easy matter to reply correctly to Lasker's bad moves".

Wikipedia

I mean, we're so uptight and so politically correct now you apologize for saying lives matter?" To reply with "all lives matter" is to suggest there's no specific problem of police abuse targeted at black Americans.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

"Does it really matter?" When someone began to reply that "With the history, it just seems... .. Poulter interrupted and said: "Well, I'm sorry if I offend anybody with saying it or having said it.

The New York Times - Sports

Wes Streeting, the Labour MP for Ilford North, who was one of several MPs who held a private meeting with Corbyn last week to discuss antisemitism, said: "It should be a matter of common courtesy to reply to a letter from the leader of one of our sister parties, particularly on an issue as important as tackling antisemitism.

The Guardian

The rally cry has become "Black Lives Matter" and in response, some have felt compelled to reply "All Lives Matter".

Huffington Post

When an attendee yelled, "Senator, do black lives matter to you?" he replied, "Yes".

Vice

It sounds intrusive, but really it's just a matter of replying to the things people were already saying.

Huffington Post

When I ask Jared Polis why this issue matters to him, he replied, "It's very important to my constituents.

Vice

So when Id (19) imagines  a Joe Schmoe who might say "But my moral beliefs do matter to my decision making," my reply is of course, they do, but that in no way undermines my argument, which is not about moral beliefs but about a belief in moral beliefs.

The New York Times

And when asked whether Walters advised him to invest in Clorox or Dean Foods, Mickelson matter-of-factly replied to a Wall Street Journal reporter, "You should know.

Los Angeles Times

The lay members of the group, led by Gervase, complained that the archbishop was sowing dissension in the land by his excommunication of the three ecclesiastics who were with the group, but Becket managed to calm the officials by stating he would consider the matter and reply to them the next day.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When you intend to convey that something needs to be answered, use precise language. Replace the phrase "matter to reply" with a grammatically sound alternative like "issue to address" or "point to respond to".

Common error

Avoid using "matter to reply" as it is an incomplete expression and lacks clarity. This phrasing could lead to misunderstanding and weaken your message. Reframe your sentence to enhance readability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "matter to reply" functions as an incomplete expression that aims to identify something needing a response. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, this phrase is not grammatically correct. Replacing it with a more appropriate phrase like "issue to address" is advisable for clarity.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "matter to reply" is grammatically incorrect and not recommended for use in standard written English. As Ludwig AI points out, it's an incomplete expression. While some sources may use it, alternatives like "issue to address", "point to respond to", or "question to answer" are more appropriate and ensure clarity. Given its infrequency and grammatical issues, it's best to avoid "matter to reply" in favor of clearer, more standard phrasing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

issue to address

Focuses on the problem or subject needing attention, rather than the act of responding.

point to respond to

Specifically highlights a particular item or argument that requires a response.

item to address

Similar to "issue to address", but can refer to a more specific or concrete concern.

question to answer

Emphasizes the need to provide a solution or information to a specific query.

concern to address

Indicates a worry or problem that needs to be resolved.

subject to discuss

Shifts the focus to a conversation or exchange of views, rather than a direct response.

point to clarify

Emphasizes the need to remove ambiguity or misunderstanding.

matter to consider

Highlights the importance of deliberation and reflection before reacting.

aspect to elaborate on

Highlights the need for more detailed explanation.

area to investigate

Focuses on the need for deeper examination or research.

FAQs

How can I properly express the idea of needing to respond to something?

Instead of "matter to reply", use more appropriate phrases like "issue to address", "point to respond to", or "question to answer". These alternatives offer clarity and grammatical correctness.

What is a better way to phrase "matter to reply"?

Consider alternatives such as "issue to address", "point to respond to", or "area to investigate" depending on the specific context. The best choice clarifies exactly what needs attention.

Is the phrase "matter to reply" grammatically correct?

No, "matter to reply" is not grammatically correct in standard English. It's an incomplete expression. You should use alternatives like "issue to address".

What's the difference between "matter to reply" and "issue to address"?

"Matter to reply" is grammatically incorrect. "Issue to address" is the correct way to convey that there's a specific problem or subject that requires attention or a solution.