matters at stake

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "matters at stake" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing important issues or concerns that are involved in a situation or decision-making process. Example: "In the negotiations, it is crucial to understand the matters at stake to reach a fair agreement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Rather, many of the matters at stake were routine, and nearly all the votes overwhelmingly carried.

The New York Times

For many, the matters at stake are heart and tradition, not brick and mortar.

The New York Times

With such matters at stake, "Brooklyn has not been as solid as the other delegations have," Professor Muzzio said.

The New York Times

Nate Robinson and Dwight Howard had no time to play superhero dress-up Wednesday night, with playoff positioning and other weightier matters at stake.

The New York Times - Sports

But he argued that there were even greater matters at stake in the election, starting with which party would better protect the nation from terrorism.

The New York Times

In 1960, voters seemed riveted by the presidential campaign not because the economy was in the tank (it wasn't) but because there were weighty matters at stake.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

There's only really one grey matter at stake here: older men who don't have grey hair are sinister.

Independent

David Cameron has said he "emphatically" will not resign if Scotland votes to leave the UK, as his leadership is not the matter at stake in the referendum.

The Guardian

The US midterm elections matter: at stake is control of Congress, the body that writes legislation and holds the budget of the global superpower.

The Guardian

It upheld the claim of Nadia Eweida, an Egyptian-born Londoner, that her rights were violated when she was forbidden to wear a cross with her British Airways uniform.This challenged what had become a principle in English courts: that people could not claim discrimination unless the matter at stake was a requirement of their religion.

The Economist

"FIFA was indeed contacted with respect to the matter at stake," said the FIFA spokesperson.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "matters at stake", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what is affected by the outcome. This adds clarity and impact to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "matters at stake" in casual or informal settings. The phrase carries a formal tone and might sound out of place in everyday conversation or writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "matters at stake" functions as a noun phrase that typically serves as a subject complement or object within a sentence. It identifies the important issues or considerations that are involved in a situation or decision, similar to the examples available on Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "matters at stake" is a noun phrase used to emphasize the importance of the issues involved in a given situation. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and suitable for use in formal and neutral contexts. Predominantly found in news and media, this phrase highlights potential consequences, urging careful consideration. Alternative phrases include "issues at hand" and "stakes involved". While versatile, it is best reserved for contexts that warrant a tone of seriousness and significance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stakes involved

Highlights what could be gained or lost.

issues at hand

Focuses on the immediate relevance of the issues.

key issues

Identifies the primary concerns or problems.

weighty issues

Emphasizes the seriousness and importance of the matters.

important considerations

Highlights the significance of the factors being considered.

significant factors

Emphasizes the weight and importance of specific elements.

crucial elements

Underlines the critical nature of certain components.

underlying concerns

Emphasizes the fundamental worries or anxieties.

essential questions

Highlights questions or matters that are fundamentally important.

pertinent questions

Focuses on the relevant inquiries that need answering.

FAQs

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

You can use "matters at stake" to emphasize the importance of something in a particular situation. For example, "The negotiations are critical because there are significant "matters at stake" for both companies".

What phrases are similar to "matters at stake"?

Alternatives include "issues at hand", "important considerations", or "stakes involved", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "matters at stake" or "issues at stake"?

"Matters at stake" and "issues at stake" are often interchangeable, but "matters" may imply a slightly broader or more fundamental significance than "issues".

What is the difference between "matters at stake" and "matters at hand"?

"Matters at stake" refers to what could be gained or lost in a situation, while "matters at hand" refers to the immediate issues that need to be addressed.