relevant to the matter

USAGE SUMMARY

"relevant to the matter" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to indicate that something is important or pertains directly to the issue or subject being discussed. Example: The evidence presented in the trial was not relevant to the matter at hand, causing confusion and delays in the legal proceedings.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Global marketing, plant watering, organising Black History Month events, fridge stocking – all these are areas relevant to the matter in hand, which is sourcing a personal assistant to the Sunderland striker.

The Guardian - Sport

This paper is relevant to the matter of high-velocity launch of a projectile by a small scale system that might be used to initiate high explosive (HE) or in shock phenomenology work.

Procedia Engineering

The opposition parties continue to pressure the government and want it to extend that waiver to cover a longer timeline of events both women say are relevant to the matter.

BBC

However, in the case of corporate emails, where content within the email may also be relevant to the matter at hand, the company is testing out various approaches to attach the email text alongside the uploaded file.

TechCrunch

The issue concerning how much language-specific information, if any, is innate has been one of the dominant topic in cognitive science and the literature relevant to the matter provides us with a wide range of possibilities.

SEP

Whether that's more the result of nature or nurture is a separate debate, and one that's ultimately not terribly relevant to the matter at hand.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Yet for others, the John Birch Society is urgently relevant to the matters of today, in its support of secure borders and limited government, its distrust of the Federal Reserve and the United Nations, and its belief in a conspiracy to merge Mexico, Canada and the United States.

The New York Times

Committees established under subsection (c) shall meet at the call of the United StatesTrade Representative and the Secretaries of Agriculture, Commerce, Labor, Defense, or other executive departments, as appropriate, to provide policy advice, technical advice and information, and advice on other factors relevant to the matters referred to in subsection (a).

Cornell University

If that was indeed the intention, certainly it should (a) not leave out important actors relevant to the subject matter, and (b) present accurate and honest analysis regarding the issue dealt with.

Journal of International Humanitarian Action

The answer is that this is not unclean hands because A's alleged infringement of the trademark BETA is not relevant to the subject matter of the litigation concerning B's alleged infringement of the trademark ALPHA.

Harvard University

At those presentations, scheduled for Wednesday morning, TBS and TNT will announce the expansion of an initiative introduced in 2008, called TV in Context, which matches commercials with scenes in programs that are relevant to the subject matter of the spots.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "relevant to the matter" to ensure your argument or information directly addresses the central point or issue under discussion. This strengthens the clarity and focus of your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "relevant to the matter" excessively, as it can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "pertinent", "germane", or "applicable" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "relevant to the matter" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to specify that something is directly connected and important to a particular issue or subject. It is frequently used to emphasize the pertinence of information or arguments.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

9%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "relevant to the matter" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed prepositional phrase, denoting a direct and significant connection to a specific issue. As Ludwig indicates, it's used to emphasize pertinence in various contexts, including news, science, and academia. While its formality is neutral, avoiding overuse and opting for synonyms like "pertinent" or "germane" can enhance writing quality. Remember to use this phrase to strengthen your arguments and clarify the focus of your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

germane to the subject

Focuses on the direct and logical connection to the topic.

pertinent to the issue

Highlights the direct relevance and importance to the problem at hand.

applicable to the situation

Emphasizes the practical relevance and suitability for the current circumstances.

related to the case

Specifically denotes a connection within a legal or investigatory context.

connected to the topic

Simple and direct, indicating a link or association.

apropos to the discussion

Implies timeliness and appropriateness in the context of a conversation.

bearing on the question

Highlights the influence or impact on the inquiry or issue.

material to the fact

Indicates importance and influence on the ultimate factual determination.

significant to the circumstance

Emphasizes notable or consequential relevance.

suited to the occasion

Highlights the appropriateness of something for a particular event or instance.

FAQs

How can I use "relevant to the matter" in a sentence?

You can use "relevant to the matter" to indicate that something is directly related and important to the current issue or subject being discussed. For example, "The evidence presented was not "germane to the subject" of the investigation".

What can I say instead of "relevant to the matter"?

You can use alternatives like "pertinent to the issue", "germane to the subject", or "applicable to the situation" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "relevant to the matter" or "relevant to the subject"?

Both phrases are correct, but "relevant to the matter" is generally used when referring to a specific issue or case, while "relevant to the subject" is used more broadly for general topics. You can also consider "apropos to the discussion".

What's the difference between "relevant to the matter" and "related to the case"?

"Relevant to the matter" is broader and can apply to various contexts, while "related to the case" specifically refers to something connected to a legal or investigatory situation. Using "bearing on the question" might also fit in some situations.