outstanding matters

USAGE SUMMARY

"outstanding matters" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to refer to unresolved issues or unfinished business. For example, "We reviewed the progress on several outstanding matters before ending the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

Outstanding matters were to be settled over the next five years.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Any "outstanding matters" had to be sent in writing to an address on Fulham High Street, it said.

The Guardian

At the same time negotiations will continue, to resolve the outstanding matters of Abyei and the demarcation of the north-south border.

The New York Times

"I am willing to extend the contract by an additional week to allow closure on all outstanding matters," Mr. Marchionne wrote.

The New York Times

The spokeswoman, Jennifer Zuccarelli, explained that "the agreement resolves all outstanding matters" between the bank and the MF Global "estate, its customers and creditors".

The New York Times

Nor has there been agreement on any of the "outstanding matters", which were supposed to have been resolved by March 31st.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

They avoided arbitration with forward Marcel Hossa by signing him for $780,000 over one year Tuesday, and Avery's deal was the final outstanding matter to settle.

The New York Times - Sports

"There are lots of reasons settlements are chosen as a best way of resolving an outstanding matter," she said, "so it's important to note that there were, in this case, no findings of fact".

The New York Times

David Green, the SFO director who inherited the case, said: "I am pleased that we have been able to resolve this final outstanding matter, without the need for a costly trial".

The Guardian - Business

Another outstanding matter is ExoMars' budget.

BBC

"The EFL will continue to work with the club's board to finalise this outstanding matter as quickly as is practically possible," said an EFL statement.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "outstanding matters" in formal writing, ensure clarity by specifying the exact nature of the matters being referred to. Provide context or examples to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "outstanding matters" without providing sufficient context. Readers need to understand what specific issues or tasks are still unresolved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "outstanding matters" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or the subject of a clause. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Science

7%

Wiki

7%

Academia

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "outstanding matters" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed noun phrase used to denote unresolved issues or unfinished tasks. According to Ludwig AI, it's considered a correct and usable phrase. It is commonly found in news, business, and encyclopedic contexts, suggesting a formal to neutral register. When using this phrase, clarity is key; it's crucial to specify the nature of the "outstanding matters" to prevent vagueness. Alternatives such as "unresolved issues" or "pending issues" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unresolved issues

Focuses on the state of being unresolved or unsettled.

pending issues

Highlights that these issues are waiting to be dealt with.

unfinished business

Implies that there's work that remains to be done.

unaddressed problems

Emphasizes that the problems haven't been dealt with.

open questions

Emphasizes the lack of answers or conclusions.

unsettled accounts

Suggests discrepancies or debts that haven't been resolved.

remaining tasks

Highlights tasks that are still incomplete.

incomplete items

Refers to tasks or things that are not fully completed.

lingering concerns

Focuses on worries or uncertainties that persist.

matters in abeyance

Suggests that the matters are temporarily suspended or postponed.

FAQs

How to use "outstanding matters" in a sentence?

You can use "outstanding matters" to refer to unresolved issues or unfinished business. For example, "The meeting was scheduled to resolve several "outstanding matters" before the end of the quarter."

What can I say instead of "outstanding matters"?

You can use alternatives like "unresolved issues", "pending issues", or "unfinished business" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "outstanding matters" or "outstanding matter"?

"Outstanding matters" is used when referring to multiple unresolved issues. "Outstanding matter" is used when referring to a single unresolved issue.

What's the difference between "outstanding matters" and "remaining tasks"?

"Outstanding matters" is a more general term that can refer to any unresolved issue, while "remaining tasks" specifically refers to tasks that are not yet completed. The former can be more comprehensive while the latter is more precise.