mattered

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mattered" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is of importance or significance in a particular context. Example: "Her opinion really mattered to me during the decision-making process."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A narrow win for Bayern Munich on the night – and a comfortable Barcelona victory overall – was just reward for Luis Enrique's team, who were again wonderfully supple and incisive in attack when it mattered.

The Guardian - Sport

It enabled a faster transition to the decisions that actually mattered.

The Guardian

In the first part of qualifying Nico had the edge but then he lost his braking in Q2 and it swung back to Lewis in the lap that mattered".

The Guardian - Sport

There are still a few around who remember those days when what happened at Westminster actually mattered, when the fate of Britain depended on a vote, and the prospect of a parliamentary defeat sent the pound plummeting and economies across the world reeling.

The Guardian

And we could be happy that for once we would know that neither outcome actually mattered – that it was just fun anyway.

The Guardian - Sport

The return of the man who was signed to take over from Cristiano Ronaldo has unsettled Nani, leading to a marked deterioration in form, but it has scarcely mattered such is the way Valencia has slipped back into the side so seamlessly.

The Guardian - Sport

Sangakkara, right, had scored only 19 runs in the tournament but when it really mattered, he was unbeaten on 52 from 35 balls when the entire Sri Lankan squad sprinted on to the field to embrace him.

The Guardian - Sport

The mining magnate accused the government of exaggerating the nation's debt levels to manufacture a crisis and justify moving to "a total capitalist economy" in which money, not people, was all that mattered.

The Guardian

By the time 7 May arrived, these were no longer the questions that mattered.

The Guardian

Muhammadu Buhari has just been elected as the next president of Nigeria by a margin of more than 2m votes because on the issues that mattered to Nigerians, he had more credibility than his rival, current president Goodluck Jonathan.

The Guardian - Opinion

Hayden's budget actually mattered much more for quite different reasons; it was an exercise in economic rationalism and therefore the granddaddy of pretty much every federal budget ever since, including Hockey's.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "mattered" to emphasize the importance or significance of a past event or action. For example, "His support mattered greatly during that difficult time."

Common error

Avoid using "matter" in the present tense when you intend to convey a past event's significance. Use "matters" instead for present tense or "mattered" for past tense. Example: Not "It matter", but "It matters now" or "It mattered then".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "mattered" is as a past tense verb, indicating that something was of importance or significance at a particular point in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable status in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "mattered" functions as a past tense verb to convey the importance or significance of something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usability. It is "very common" across various contexts, including news, business, and more formal settings, with neutral register. When writing, use "mattered" to stress the impact or relevance of past events. Consider alternatives like "was important" or "was significant" to add nuance to your expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was important

Emphasizes the significance of something.

was significant

Highlights the notable impact or consequence.

was relevant

Indicates a connection or pertinence to the matter at hand.

carried weight

Suggests that something had influence or importance.

held importance

Directly states that something had value or significance.

had consequence

Focuses on the results or effects of something.

bore significance

Similar to "was significant" but slightly more formal.

counted

Implies that something had an impact or was taken into consideration.

was of concern

Indicates that something was a matter of worry or interest.

was of value

Highlights the worth or usefulness of something.

FAQs

How can I use "mattered" in a sentence?

You can use "mattered" to indicate the importance or significance of something in the past. For example: "What he said "was important" and it "mattered" a lot to her."

What are some alternatives to "mattered"?

Some alternatives to "mattered" include "was important", "was significant", or "was relevant", depending on the context.

Which is correct: "it mattered" or "it matters"?

"It mattered" is used for past events, while "it matters" is used for present situations. The correct choice depends on whether you are referring to something that was important in the past or is important now.

What is the difference between "mattered" and "meant"?

"Mattered" refers to the importance or significance of something, whereas "meant" refers to the intended meaning or purpose. For example, "His apology mattered" implies it had a positive impact, while "He meant well" indicates his intentions were good.