personal matter

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'personal matter' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to an issue or topic that is considered to be private or sensitive, often between two people. For example: "I'm sorry, I cannot talk about this, as it is a personal matter between me and my wife."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

personal matter.

The New Yorker

It's a personal matter".

The New York Times

It is a personal matter".

The New York Times - Sports

It was a personal matter.

Independent

"After hours is a personal matter.

The New York Times

But that's a personal matter.

The Guardian

It's strictly a personal matter".

The New York Times

So it's not really a personal matter.

The New York Times - Sports

His health is no personal matter.

The Guardian

His health is no mere personal matter.

The Guardian

It was a somewhat personal matter.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "personal matter", be mindful of your audience and the context. It signals that a topic is private and potentially sensitive, so respect boundaries and avoid pressing for details if the other person is unwilling to share.

Common error

Avoid immediately divulging intimate details after stating something is a "personal matter". This can create a sense of distrust or discomfort, as it contradicts the initial implication of privacy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "personal matter" functions primarily as a noun phrase. Ludwig AI indicates, and the examples confirm, that it serves to identify a subject as being private or confidential.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Formal & Business

26%

Science

26%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "personal matter" is a noun phrase used to denote a private or confidential issue. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and wide applicability. It is frequently found in news and media, as well as formal and business contexts, indicating a neutral level of formality. To use it effectively, respect boundaries and avoid oversharing. Alternative phrases like "private affair" or "confidential issue" can be used for similar effect. The phrase is very common with approximately 58 examples available.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

private affair

Replaces 'matter' with 'affair', emphasizing the confidentiality aspect.

confidential issue

Substitutes 'personal' with 'confidential' and 'matter' with 'issue', focusing on secrecy.

private concern

Replaces 'matter' with 'concern', highlighting worry or interest.

sensitive subject

Emphasizes the delicacy or potential emotional impact of the topic.

delicate situation

Focuses on the potential difficulty or awkwardness of the circumstances.

intimate detail

Highlights the close and private nature of the information involved.

personal business

Highlights that the matter is private and for the individual to deal with.

private life

Shifts focus to the overall privacy of an individual's existence.

family affair

Specifies that the matter concerns family relationships.

between you and me

Indicates that the information is only meant for the speaker and listener.

FAQs

How can I use "personal matter" in a sentence?

You can use "personal matter" to indicate that something is private or confidential. For example, "I cannot discuss the details as it is a "personal matter"."

What's a less direct way to refer to a "personal matter"?

Instead of directly stating "It's a "personal matter"", you could say "I'd rather not discuss it" or "That's something I'd like to keep private".

Which is the right way to say it, "personal matter" or "personnel matter"?

"Personal matter" refers to a private issue concerning an individual. "Personnel matter" refers to an issue concerning employees or staff. Thus, the correct phrase depends on the context.

What are some synonyms for "personal matter"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "personal matter" include "private affair", "confidential issue", or "sensitive subject".