the heart of the matter is

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the heart of the matter is" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to introduce the main point or essential issue in a discussion or argument. Example: "After much deliberation, I believe the heart of the matter is the lack of communication between the departments."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But last, and what he thinks is the heart of the matter, is ideology.

The Guardian

At the heart of the matter is the question of what makes a capital city.

The New York Times - Arts

But the heart of the matter is that these companies are truly global.

The Guardian - Opinion

At the heart of the matter is the conflict between sheep farmers and conservationists.

The Guardian

The heart of the matter is the economy, and Brown's responsibility for the bubble years.

The Guardian - Opinion

At the heart of the matter is a battle between wish and fear.

The New York Times - Magazine

"The heart of the matter is that too many children are being poisoned," he said.

The New York Times

"At the heart of the matter is the simple basic truth that their incarceration is unlawful.

Independent

At the heart of the matter is NOAA's bifurcated system for issuing storm advisories.

The New York Times - Science

"The heart of the matter is, the owner gets these benefits.

The New York Times

The heart of the matter is the arrangements of color planes and lines that Mondrian called his Neo-Plastic abstractions.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the heart of the matter is" to clearly introduce the most crucial aspect of a complex situation, ensuring your audience understands the core issue immediately.

Common error

Avoid using "the heart of the matter is" in situations where the point is already obvious. Opt for simpler language to maintain clarity and avoid sounding unnecessarily verbose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the heart of the matter is" functions as a transitional phrase, typically used to introduce the most important aspect or core issue within a discussion, argument, or situation. Ludwig shows its prevalent use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Formal & Business

17%

Science

11%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "the heart of the matter is" is a versatile and frequently used expression to introduce the most critical aspect of a subject. As Ludwig AI indicates, this grammatically sound phrase is prevalent in news media, business communication, and scientific discussions. While it effectively highlights the core issue, avoid overuse in simple situations to maintain clarity. Consider alternatives such as "the crux of the matter is" or "the core issue is" to add variety to your writing. Remember, according to Ludwig, the key is social justice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the crux of the matter is

Replaces "heart" with "crux", emphasizing the decisive point.

the essence of the problem is

Replaces "heart" with "essence", indicating the intrinsic nature of the problem.

the core issue is

Substitutes "heart of the matter" with "core issue", highlighting the fundamental problem.

the central point is

Focuses on the main idea rather than the underlying problem.

the fundamental question is

Highlights the underlying question that needs to be addressed.

the primary concern is

Highlights the main worry or issue.

the key element is

Focuses on the most important factor.

the main thing is

Offers a more informal way to express the essential point.

what really matters is

Emphasizes the most important consideration.

the bottom line is

Presents a concise summary of the most important conclusion.

FAQs

How can I use "the heart of the matter is" in a sentence?

You can use "the heart of the matter is" to introduce the central issue or most important aspect of a discussion. For example, "After reviewing all the evidence, the heart of the matter is the lack of funding for the project."

What is another way to say "the heart of the matter is"?

You can use alternatives like "the crux of the matter is", "the core issue is", or "the essence of the problem is" to express a similar idea.

Is it correct to say "at the heart of the matter is" instead of "the heart of the matter is"?

Yes, both "at the heart of the matter is" and "the heart of the matter is" are grammatically correct and can be used interchangeably to emphasize the central point. The choice often depends on stylistic preference.

What's the difference between "the heart of the matter is" and "the point is"?

"The heart of the matter is" is typically used to introduce the most fundamental or critical aspect of a complex issue, while "the point is" is a more general way to emphasize a key idea or argument. The former implies a deeper analysis while the latter is often a simple concluding remark.