matters little

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "matters little" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It means that something is of little importance or significance. Here is an example: "The color of the walls in the room matters little to me, as long as the furniture is comfortable." This sentence means that the speaker is not concerned with the color of the walls, as it does not hold much significance to them. They are more focused on the comfort of the furniture.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

But this matters little.

The New York Times - Science

Customer ease matters little.

The New Yorker

This matters little.

The New York Times - Books

But that matters little.

The New York Times

What I think of them matters little.

The New York Times - Arts

To me, that matters little.

The Guardian - Opinion

To Donovan, that matters little.

The New York Times - Sports

But it matters little, really.

The New York Times - Style

In Omsk, the transcontinental gap matters little.

The New York Times - Sports

What they serve it in matters little".

The New York Times

But Leicester's exact pedigree matters little.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "matters little" when you want to downplay the importance of a specific detail or factor, especially when contrasting it with something more significant. For example, "The cost of the repair matters little compared to the safety of the passengers."

Common error

While grammatically correct, "matters little" can sound informal in certain professional or academic contexts. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "is of little consequence" or "is not particularly significant" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "matters little" functions as a verbal phrase indicating insignificance or lack of importance. It typically modifies a preceding statement, downplaying its relevance within a given context. Ludwig AI confirms its wide usage across diverse sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "matters little" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote something of minimal importance. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it appears predominantly in news and media, maintaining a neutral tone suitable for various writing styles. When using "matters little", ensure it aligns with the context's formality; in more formal settings, consider alternatives such as "is of little consequence". This guide provides a comprehensive understanding of its usage, supported by examples and practical tips to enhance writing clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is of little consequence

Replaces "matters little" with a more formal expression indicating a lack of importance.

is not very important

Uses simpler language to express that something is not significant.

is of minor importance

Emphasizes the small degree of significance of something.

is not significant

Directly states that something lacks significance.

is hardly relevant

Shifts the focus to the relevance of something, indicating it's not very pertinent.

is immaterial

Uses a more formal term to indicate that something is not important or relevant.

is not a big deal

Offers a more casual way of saying something isn't important.

carries little weight

Highlights the lack of influence or importance something has.

is beside the point

Indicates that something is not relevant to the main issue or discussion.

is neither here nor there

Suggests that something is irrelevant or inconsequential.

FAQs

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

You can use "matters little" to indicate that something is of little importance or significance. For example, "Whether we win or lose "matters little", what's important is that we tried our best."

What phrases can I use instead of "matters little"?

Alternatives to "matters little" include "is of little consequence", "is not very important", or "is of minor importance", depending on the desired level of formality.

Is it correct to say "matter little" instead of "matters little"?

The correct form is "matters little" when referring to a singular subject. "Matter little" would be used with a plural subject. For example, "Details matter little in this case" versus "The detail matters little."

What is the difference between "matters little" and "is irrelevant"?

"Matters little" suggests something has minimal importance, while "is irrelevant" implies something is entirely unrelated or inapplicable. The choice depends on whether the item is simply unimportant or completely unrelated to the subject at hand.