running matter

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "running matter" is not a standard expression in written English and may cause confusion.
It could potentially be used in a specific context related to ongoing issues or topics, but it is not commonly recognized. Example: "The running matter of budget cuts has been a topic of discussion in our meetings."

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

And how much does base running matter, anyway?

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Two years on the management committee gave him an appreciation for running matters, he said.

The New York Times - Arts

That persuaded Jacques Parizeau, the PQ's leader of the day, that the party's best bet was to have Mr Bouchard running matters in Quebec city.In this section Lessons from El Salvador's tragedy One nation, or many?

The Economist

Murray would consider approaching the administrators now running matters at Ibrox but would not work with current owner Craig Whyte.

BBC

The tracks were the size of dinner plates, and they ran — matter-of-factly and without pause — down from the woods and across the field, into the smokehouse and back.

The New Yorker

One participant described this as feeling 'like a mouse on a running wheel no matter how fast you run, you're not getting off the running wheel' (FC20A).

BMJ Open

Our bodies are like engines that are constantly running — no matter what we're doing, they're always burning fuel (even during sleep).

WikiHow

No matter how badly run, no matter how badly in debt, they get saved.

Forbes

Curtail air strikes, rein in Special Operations night attacks -- none of it will, in the long run, matter.

Huffington Post

But, he says "in the long run, subject matter doesn't mean crap.

The Guardian - Music

Running obviously matters, but not in the same way as passing.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "running matter", ensure the context is clear to avoid confusion, as it's not a widely recognized phrase. Consider using more common alternatives like "ongoing issue" or "current topic".

Common error

Avoid using "running matter" in formal writing where clarity is paramount. Its ambiguous nature may lead to misinterpretations. Always opt for clearer and more conventional phrasing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "running matter" functions as a noun phrase, potentially referring to an ongoing issue or topic under consideration. As Ludwig AI points out, this usage isn't standard, and clarity can be improved by opting for alternatives.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Wiki

32%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while grammatically acceptable, the phrase "running matter" is not a standard or widely recognized expression in English. As Ludwig AI highlights, it can lead to confusion due to its ambiguity. More common and clearer alternatives such as "ongoing issue" or "current topic" are generally preferred, especially in formal writing. The phrase appears occasionally in news and media contexts, but its infrequent use suggests caution. To ensure clarity, consider replacing it with more conventional phrasing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ongoing issue

Replaces the two-word expression with a more common and direct term for a problem that is currently being dealt with.

current topic

Focuses on the subject at hand, emphasizing its present relevance.

pressing concern

Highlights the urgency and importance of the issue.

present matter

Similar to current topic but emphasizes the immediacy of the subject.

active question

Refers to an issue that is still being debated or resolved.

live issue

Emphasizes that the issue is still developing and relevant.

open matter

Indicates that the issue is unresolved and still under consideration.

continuing problem

Highlights that the problem has persisted over time.

unsettled affair

Suggests the issue is not yet finalized or resolved.

pending question

Refers to a question or issue that has not yet been decided or answered.

FAQs

What does the phrase "running matter" mean?

The phrase "running matter" isn't a standard expression. It might refer to an ongoing issue or a topic that is currently being addressed, but it's not a common phrase. Consider using alternatives like "ongoing issue" or "current topic" for better clarity.

Is "running matter" grammatically correct?

While not strictly incorrect, "running matter" is an uncommon phrase and may sound awkward to native English speakers. It's better to use more widely accepted phrases to avoid confusion.

What are some alternatives to "running matter"?

You can use alternatives like "ongoing issue", "current topic", or "pressing concern" depending on the context.

In what contexts is "running matter" appropriate?

The phrase "running matter" might be used in informal conversations or internal communications within a team that understands the specific context. However, in formal writing or when communicating with a broader audience, it's best to use clearer and more common phrases.