raise the matter

USAGE SUMMARY

'raise the matter' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to talk about bringing something up for further discussion or consideration. For example, "At tonight's meeting, I'd like to raise the matter of increasing our marketing budget."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I tried to raise the matter once.

The Guardian - Sport

Democrats vowed to raise the matter again.

The New York Times

Japanese executives raise the matter to decry corporate complacency.

The Economist

And so you need not raise the matter.

The New York Times - Magazine

Lutsky asked if he ought to raise the matter with Asrar when he returned to Khost.

The New Yorker

EE, Britain's largest mobile network, said on Tuesday it would raise the matter with government representatives.

The Guardian - Tech

The Young Liberals have asked their officers to raise the matter "with the party's leader".

The Guardian

Mr. Ahern said he would raise the matter soon with the British prime minister, Tony Blair.

The New York Times

Administration officials said they expect Mr. Bush to raise the matter again.

The New York Times

It urges the special rapporteurs intervene and raise the matter with the Australian government.

The Guardian

At the same time, they are asking parish priests to raise the matter with congregations and to circulate petitions.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the tone you want to convey when choosing this phrase. Using alternative expressions like "bring up the subject" or "mention the issue" may be better suited to more casual conversations.

Common error

Avoid using "raise the matter" when you simply want to make a statement without intending to invite discussion or action. This phrase implies a need for further consideration or resolution.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "raise the matter" functions as a verb phrase, where "raise" acts as a transitive verb requiring an object ("the matter"). As Ludwig AI confirms, it introduces a subject for discussion or consideration, signaling an intent to bring it to someone's attention.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "raise the matter" is a versatile phrase used to introduce a subject for discussion or consideration. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While it maintains a neutral to professional tone, you can consider alternatives like "bring up the subject" for less formal conversations. The phrase's primary function is to prompt engagement with a specific topic, suggesting a need for attention or action. As evidenced by the range of examples, it's an effective way to initiate meaningful dialogue in diverse professional and public settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bring up the subject

Replaces "raise" with "bring up" and "matter" with "subject", slightly more informal.

broach the topic

Uses more formal vocabulary, replacing "raise" with "broach" and "matter" with "topic".

mention the issue

Substitutes "raise" with "mention" and "matter" with "issue", making it a more direct and less nuanced alternative.

introduce the question

Replaces "matter" with "question", framing it as an inquiry rather than a general subject.

table the discussion

Offers the idea of postponing discussion which is opposite in meaning. It replaces "matter" with "discussion", making it a more direct and less nuanced alternative.

air the grievance

More specific to expressing complaints or concerns; uses "air" instead of "raise" and "grievance" instead of "matter".

lodge a complaint

Specifically refers to formally registering a complaint, offering a more official tone.

flag the concern

Uses business terminology, replacing "raise" with "flag" and "matter" with "concern".

open the can of worms

Idiomatic and implies bringing up a complex or problematic issue.

touch on the subject

Suggests briefly mentioning something, a less forceful alternative.

FAQs

How can I use "raise the matter" in a sentence?

You can use "raise the matter" to introduce a topic for discussion or consideration. For example, "I plan to raise the matter of budget cuts at the next meeting."

What's a more formal alternative to "raise the matter"?

A more formal alternative could be "broach the topic", which suggests a more delicate or careful introduction of the subject.

What's a less formal way to say "raise the matter"?

Less formal ways to say "raise the matter" include "bring up the subject" or "mention the issue".

Is "raise the matter" the same as "address the matter"?

While related, "raise the matter" means to introduce it, whereas "address the matter" implies dealing with it directly, often to resolve a problem or concern.