private matter

USAGE SUMMARY

"private matter" is a common and correct phrase in written English.
It refers to a personal or confidential issue or situation that is not intended to be shared or discussed publicly. You can use "private matter" in a variety of contexts, such as: - "I apologize for not being able to attend the meeting, but I have a private matter that requires my attention." - "I understand that you may have some concerns, but please keep in mind that this is a private matter and should be handled delicately." - "It's not appropriate for you to ask about my private matters; let's stick to discussing the work at hand." - "The celebrity's team issued a statement saying that they would not comment on their client's private matters." - "I don't feel comfortable discussing my private matters with anyone outside of my therapist."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

A private matter, essentially.

The New Yorker

It's a private matter.

The New York Times

For them, it was a private matter".

Independent

"It is a purely private matter".

The Economist

Absolution is an intensely private matter.

The New York Times - Books

The exact figure is a private matter".

Independent

Faith is a private matter.

The New York Times

It's essentially a private matter for Anwar.

The Economist

But is it a private matter?

The Guardian

"It's more of a private matter, though".

The New York Times - Sports

He thinks it is a private matter.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "private matter" when you want to emphasize that the information should not be shared with others. Avoid being too inquisitive when someone describes something as a "private matter".

Common error

Avoid contradicting yourself by labeling something a "private matter" and then proceeding to divulge unnecessary details. Doing so undermines the initial intention of maintaining privacy and can damage trust.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "private matter" functions as a noun phrase, often used as a subject complement or object of a preposition. It serves to categorize a topic or situation as confidential and not intended for public knowledge, as illustrated in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "private matter" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe something confidential and not intended for public discussion. Ludwig AI indicates that it appears frequently in news and media, but also in formal and business settings. When writing, be mindful of oversharing after labeling something as a "private matter", and use it to politely establish boundaries. Related phrases include "confidential issue" and "personal affair", offering slightly different nuances. By understanding these nuances, you can effectively communicate and maintain privacy in various contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

confidential issue

Focuses on the secrecy aspect more explicitly than "private matter".

personal affair

Emphasizes the personal involvement and nature of the matter.

sensitive subject

Highlights the potentially delicate or controversial nature of the matter.

classified information

Specifically refers to information protected from public access.

off-the-record

Indicates that the information should not be publicly attributed to the source.

between ourselves

Emphasizes secrecy of information between two parties.

not for public consumption

Highlights that the information is not intended for the general public.

strictly confidential

Emphasizes the high level of confidentiality required.

privileged communication

Implies a legal or ethical right to keep the information private.

family secret

Suggests the information is kept hidden within a family.

FAQs

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

You can use "private matter" to indicate that a topic is personal and not meant for public discussion, such as "I'm unable to comment on that; it's a "private matter"" or "Please respect my privacy; this is a "private matter"".

What are some synonyms for "private matter"?

Alternatives to "private matter" include "personal affair", "confidential issue", or "sensitive subject". The best choice depends on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to describe something as a "private matter"?

It's appropriate to use "private matter" when you want to signal that a topic is confidential, sensitive, or not open for public discussion. It's a way to set boundaries and maintain discretion.

What's the difference between "private matter" and "personal matter"?

While "private matter" and "personal matter" are often used interchangeably, "private matter" can sometimes imply a greater degree of confidentiality or sensitivity than "personal matter".