matters in question

USAGE SUMMARY

"matters in question" is a correct phrase in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to topics that need to be discussed or considered. For example: "We must consider the matters in question before we make a decision."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"Corporate governance at the IMF is clearly out of control and Christine Lagarde would have been obliged to resign at any normal plc or institution until the matters in question were resolved.

The Guardian - Business

But the fact that he didn't might reflect his own ambivalence about the matters in question.

SEP

As we have seen, this is one of the matters in question; and §§260 and 261 show that Wittgenstein was not prepared to let an argument in favour of private language proceed from this assumption.

SEP

With that, as the journalist asked him what assets the company held, he got up and walked out of the interview, while continuing to claim he was "unacquainted" with the matters in question and criticizing the reporter for springing the questions on him.

Vice

This has for a long time disadvantaged not only women and the children but also men themselves resulting in poor understanding and acceptability of different health issues and family break ups particularly when health matters in question require both couples to take actions.

Global Health Action

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

The matter in question consists of particles that are formed from different vibrations of "strings".

The Economist

Everyday crystals, such as diamond or ice, are periodic arrangements of atoms and usually exist when the matter in question is in its lowest energy state.

The Guardian

One holds that the original matter in question is the speech of the common people, unadorned by grammar, and that prākṛta thus refers to vernacular usage in contrast to the elevated register of Sanskrit usage.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"For more than two years, News International has accepted I was not responsible for the matter in question and there is no valid or reliable evidence now to support their sudden volte face.

Independent

He argued that any theory of a social phenomenon, including law, must identify its "central" cases, since the goal of any theory is to describe the central or important features of the subject matter in question.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Indeed, if the nominees did answer the senators' questions, future litigants might face a court with some members who had promised, under oath, to vote a certain way on the matter in question.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "matters in question" to refer to specific topics or issues that are currently being discussed or investigated, especially in formal writing.

Common error

Avoid using "matters in question" in very casual conversations; simpler phrases like "what we're talking about" are more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "matters in question" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the object of a verb or preposition. It identifies the specific topics or issues that are being considered or discussed, as demonstrated by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "matters in question" is a grammatically sound phrase used to denote specific topics or issues under consideration, as confirmed by Ludwig. Although relatively rare, it appears in neutral to formal contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedic sources. The phrase is best suited for specifying subjects requiring detailed discussion and should be used judiciously in casual settings. As the Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is indeed correct and has practical utility in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

issues at hand

Focuses on the immediacy and relevance of the issues.

topics under discussion

Highlights the ongoing nature of the conversation.

subjects being considered

Emphasizes the thoughtful deliberation involved.

points in dispute

Focuses on disagreements or conflicting viewpoints.

concerns under review

Highlights the process of examination and evaluation.

items for consideration

Emphasizes a formal and structured evaluation process.

problems being addressed

Highlights the act of confronting and trying to resolve issues.

areas of inquiry

Focuses on the act of investigating and seeking knowledge.

relevant considerations

Highlights the pertinence and importance of specific factors.

pertinent details

Highlights the most relevant specifics of something.

FAQs

How can I use "matters in question" in a sentence?

You can use "matters in question" to refer to specific topics under discussion, for example: "We need to address the "issues at hand" before proceeding further."

What phrases are similar to "matters in question"?

Alternatives include phrases like "topics under discussion", "subjects being considered", or "points in dispute", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "matter in question" or "matters in question" more appropriate?

While "matter in question" refers to a single issue, "matters in question" is used when referring to multiple issues or topics being discussed.

When is it best to use "matters in question" in writing?

Use "matters in question" in formal writing, legal documents, or when referring to specific issues that require careful consideration. It's generally less suitable for informal conversations.