private matter of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "private matter of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a subject or issue that is personal and not meant for public discussion. Example: "This is a private matter of great importance to me, and I would appreciate your discretion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

He doesn't just oppose abortion as a private matter of personal conscience.

The New York Times

I want Britain to be a genuinely secular nation, where religious belief is protected and defended as a private matter of conscience.

Independent

Pro-business politicians who regard this vacuum of accountable control as a private matter of no wider concern are doing capitalism a grave disservice.

The Economist

She added, "It has been extremely difficult and painful for me to see a private matter of mine create a challenging environment for our company and its employees".

The New York Times

"However, this is a private matter of the Friedrichstadtpalast, and therefore falls short of expressing significance of such a grand celebrity like Marlene".

The New York Times - Arts

According to a poll for Journal du Dimanche, a Sunday newspaper, fully 77% of the French think that it is a private matter of no public consequence.Yet France has also changed.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

In private matters of religion, family, and the treatment of women, the vast majority of Iraqis are far more conservative than most outsiders understand.

The New Yorker

It will be as much as anything about money, freedom of movement, and the danger of a state that interferes in the most private matters of life.

The New Yorker

"I'm not going to speak publicly about another team's coaching search, and I'm not going to speak about the private matters of our players or coaches.

The New York Times - Sports

As it is not us to judge the private matters of a man and a woman.

Huffington Post

As a Prime Minister well versed in international affairs, I know that it's important I not interfere with the private matters of other countries.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "private matter of" when you want to emphasize the confidential or personal nature of a situation that should not be publicly discussed.

Common error

Avoid using "private matter of" in excessively formal or legal documents, as it can sound too colloquial. Opt for more precise and professional language like "confidential information" or "non-disclosure agreement" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "private matter of" functions as a nominal phrase, typically used as a subject complement or object of a preposition. It serves to characterize a noun as something that is personal and not intended for public discussion, as exemplified by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

31%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "private matter of" is a useful way to describe issues or information that should be kept confidential. Ludwig's analysis confirms that it's grammatically correct and most frequently used in news and media contexts to signal sensitivity. While "private matter of" is acceptable, being aware of synonyms like "confidential issue" can enhance writing precision and formality where needed. Keep in mind that overuse may result in sounding colloquial, so using more formal alternatives is highly advisable. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is valid and can be used effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

confidential issue of

Replaces "private" with "confidential" focusing on secrecy.

personal affair of

Substitutes "matter" with "affair", highlighting the personal aspect.

private concern of

Emphasizes the personal nature of the issue by using "concern".

sensitive subject of

Focuses on the delicacy and discretion required when discussing the issue.

strictly personal issue of

Adds emphasis to the personal nature by using "strictly personal".

non-public matter of

Highlights that the issue is not intended for public knowledge.

matter of personal discretion

Shifts the focus to the need for personal discretion in handling the issue.

private domain of

Indicates that the issue falls within the personal realm or sphere.

personal business of

Replaces "matter" with "business", suggesting a personal undertaking or responsibility.

private domain issue

Streamlines the phrase while retaining the core meaning of privacy and personal relevance.

FAQs

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

You can use "private matter of" to describe situations or information that should not be discussed publicly. For example, "The details of their divorce are a "private matter of" theirs."

What is a formal alternative to "private matter of"?

In more formal contexts, you might use phrases like "confidential issue", "sensitive information", or "matter of personal discretion" instead of a "private matter of".

Is it appropriate to ask about a "private matter of" someone?

Generally, it's considered impolite to inquire directly about a "private matter of" someone unless they offer the information or you have a very close relationship with them.

How does "personal matter" differ from "private matter of"?

"Personal matter" is a broader term that refers to any issue concerning an individual's life. A ""private matter of"" specifically implies that the issue is also confidential and not meant for public knowledge.