matters at all

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "matters at all" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to emphasize the importance or relevance of something in a discussion or argument. Example: "I don't think it matters at all what others say; what truly counts is how you feel about it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

But nothing really matters, nothing really matters at all when the last ever season of The Good Wife (More4) is unfolding on our screens.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

At some point over the summer, the future of the Labour party ceased to be simply one of the many important issues in British politics, and became Literally The Only Thing That Matters At All.

Vice

"Nothing else matters at all.

The Guardian - Music

I have no outstanding tax matters at all".

The Guardian

"It's minor, if it matters at all," he said.

The New York Times

Why this matters at all will eventually become clear.

The New Yorker

As soon as it matters at all, though, it can quickly start to matter a lot.

The Economist

If she happens to put out a mixed message, it hardly matters at all.

Independent

If you think sport matters at all in our national life, then you should be concerned.

Independent

Slipping back into a recession — meaning negative growth — obviously wouldn't help matters at all.

The New York Times

Back home, the truth is that the church hardly matters at all.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "matters at all" to emphasize a lack of importance or relevance, particularly when contrasting it with something else that does matter. This creates a stronger impact.

Common error

While versatile, "matters at all" can sound too informal for highly professional or academic writing. Opt for alternatives like "is of any significance" or "is of any consequence" to maintain a more elevated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "matters at all" functions as an intensifier emphasizing the lack of importance or relevance of something. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's a versatile phrase used to negate the significance of a subject in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "matters at all" is a versatile and commonly used expression to emphasize a lack of importance or relevance. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and appears frequently in news and media contexts. While generally neutral in tone, it leans towards informality, making it less suited for highly formal writing. When seeking alternatives, consider phrases like "is of any importance" or "makes any difference", but be mindful of maintaining the intended emphasis on insignificance. This phrase is frequently used in news and media.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is at all important

Directly questions the importance of something.

makes any difference

Highlights the lack of impact or effect.

is of any importance

Emphasizes the lack of importance.

is of any consequence

Highlights the lack of significant impact or result.

is of any value

Focuses on the absence of worth or usefulness.

is in the least relevant

Focuses on the lack of connection or pertinence.

is remotely significant

Suggests that something is not even slightly important.

carries any weight

Implies that something has no influence or importance.

is worthy of consideration

Implies that something should not be taken into account.

is of concern

Highlights the absence of worry or interest.

FAQs

How can I use "matters at all" in a sentence?

You can use "matters at all" to emphasize that something is not important or relevant in a particular situation. For example, "I don't think it "matters at all" what others say; what truly counts is how you feel about it."

What can I say instead of "matters at all"?

You can use alternatives like "is of any importance", "makes any difference", or "is at all important" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "matters at all" or "matter at all"?

"Matters at all" is correct when the subject is singular or uncountable. "Matter at all" would be used in different sentence structures, often with plural subjects or auxiliary verbs.

What's the difference between "matters at all" and "is important"?

"Matters at all" implies a complete lack of importance, while "is important" signifies that something has some level of significance. The former is stronger in negating relevance.