pure matter of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pure matter of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is solely or entirely a matter of a specific issue or topic. Example: "This decision is a pure matter of personal preference, and it should not be influenced by external opinions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Lasses, however, are lampooned as overambitious as a pure matter of vocab usage.

Independent

At the time, CS Lewis described his marriage in 1956 to the American poet Helen ("H") Joy Davidman as "a pure matter of friendship and expediency", primarily intended to keep her and her two sons in the country; a confirmed bachelor, he later wrote: "I never expected to have, in my 60s, the happiness that passed me by in my 20s".

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

First of all, Ibn Gabirol's pure matter is part of an overtly Neoplatonic world-view which, contra Aristotle, privileges spiritual/intelligible substances over sensible/corporeal reality, and which, contra Aristotle and Plato, emphasizes the emanation of the sensible realm from the spiritual realm.

SEP

Allegorically rendering the Garden of Eden waters to the pure matter which sits at the root of the unfolding cosmos, Ibn Gabirol envisions the pulse of existence as a River of Life a vibrant outpouring which links all of existence to a single overflowing source (see Sirat 1985, p. 79).

SEP

The paint retains traces of that consciousness, even in its incarnation as pure matter.

Huffington Post

He conjoined and, ever since, has stayed true to features of both movements: expressively pure painterliness and blunt matter-of-factness.

The New Yorker

For Plato (c. 428 c. 348 bc) and Kant, ethics is a matter of pure reason gaining pure insight into eternal truth.

Encyclopedia Britannica

As a matter of pure fact.

The New Yorker

Eventually, the model village becomes a matter of pure PR.

The Guardian - Books

This isn't just a matter of pure knowledge, he added.

The New Yorker

In this sense, Marx did not approach class consciousness as a matter of pure ideality.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pure matter of" to emphasize that a situation depends entirely on a specific factor, excluding other considerations. For example, "The decision was a "pure matter of" logistics, with no regard for personal feelings."

Common error

Avoid using "pure matter of" when the situation is complex or multifaceted. Overusing it can oversimplify nuanced issues and undermine credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pure matter of" primarily functions as a qualifier, specifying that something is determined exclusively by a particular factor. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for written English, clarifying an issue's dependence on a single element, as illustrated in the examples provided.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "pure matter of" is used to emphasize that a situation hinges entirely on one specific factor. As Ludwig AI shows, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for use in written English. Although the phrase's frequency is rare in the analyzed data, the phrase is employed across neutral contexts such as news, science, and encyclopedias. When using this phrase, ensure that the situation genuinely depends on a single determining factor to avoid oversimplifying complex issues. Alternatives like "simply a question of" or "merely a case of" can be used to express a similar meaning with slightly different emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

only a matter of

This expression underlines the exclusiveness and limitation of the point.

entirely a question of

Stresses that something depends completely on the factor being mentioned.

strictly a question of

Indicates that the situation is limited to the aspect being discussed.

just a question of

Downplays the significance, presenting it as a straightforward issue.

simply a question of

This alternative simplifies the statement, focusing on the uncomplicated nature of the issue.

fundamentally a question of

Highlights that the core of the matter is the aspect being discussed.

solely a subject of

Emphasizes that something is exclusively related to a specific topic.

merely a case of

Highlights that the situation is nothing more than what is being specified.

purely a problem of

Focuses on the issue being specifically a problem, with no other factors influencing it.

at its heart a matter of

This alternative emphasizes the fundamental or essential nature of the matter being considered.

FAQs

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

You can use "pure matter of" to indicate that something is entirely based on a specific factor. For example, "Success in this field is a "pure matter of" hard work and dedication."

What can I say instead of "pure matter of"?

You can use alternatives like "simply a question of", "merely a case of", or "solely a subject of" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "simply matter of" instead of "pure matter of"?

Yes, "simply a matter of" is a correct and often interchangeable alternative to "pure matter of", though it might slightly reduce the emphasis on the exclusiveness of the factor.

What's the difference between "pure matter of" and "just a question of"?

"Pure matter of" emphasizes that the issue depends exclusively on one thing, while "just a question of" can imply that it's easily resolved or not particularly significant.