the overall matter

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the overall matter" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a general topic or issue, often to summarize or encapsulate the main points of a discussion. Example: "After reviewing all the evidence, we can conclude that the overall matter requires further investigation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

But because of Judge Nottingham's decision in the F.T.C. case, the registry is likely to stay on hold until the overall matter is settled by the courts.

The New York Times

The method captures the metabolic constraints of the overall matter and energy transformations without the need for detailed knowledge of every organism in the community.

BMC Systems Biology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Whether this policy reflects the theory's difficulty for himself or his readers, the economies entailed by keeping the overall subject matter within the chosen six-book structure, or a theoretical difference from early Epicureanism, is destined to be a matter for speculation only.

SEP

The overall dry matter intake of the concentrate diets varied between 0.37 and 0.52 kg/d.

Journal of Dairy Science

For the overall grey matter, the normalized rCBF in perfusion CT was only 20% larger than that for PET.

EJNMMI Research

This ratio measures how rich a given extract in humic fractions is and may be applied to the hydrolysate, the KOH extract or to the sum of both, i.e., the overall extracted matter.

International Journal of Recycling of Organic Waste in Agriculture

This procedure upsampled the overall gray matter regions by about 8 times, thus converting the structural 82 regions into 620 sub regions, resulting in structural brain network connectivity matrices of size 620 by 620.

Brain Informatics

These shifts of the organic matter into long turnover pool generated by the termite gut transit and deposition in the termitosphere indicate that besides the earthworm, the soil feeding termite has a positive impact on the overall organic matter cycling in the tropics.

European Journal of Soil Biology

I don't mind if most episodes revolve around blatantly convenient MacGuffins, but a show can only do that if the characters, their relationships and the overall stakes matter.

Huffington Post

First generation antipsychotics seem to increase the volume of nucleus caudatus and to reduce the overall grey matter volume.

European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience

Fractional anisotropy (FA) of the directionally preferential water molecule diffusivity is usually used to assess the overall white matter integrity [ 17].

BMC Psychiatry

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the overall matter" to refer to the totality of a situation or topic, especially when summarizing complex details or shifting from specific elements to a general understanding. This signals a move to a broader perspective.

Common error

Avoid using "the overall matter" in simple situations where a more direct phrase like "the main point" or "the issue" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily verbose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the overall matter" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its use in summarizing or encapsulating a broad topic or issue. Examples show its use in contexts requiring a general understanding.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the overall matter" is a noun phrase used to refer to the entirety of a situation or topic. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage for summarizing complex details and highlighting a broader perspective. While grammatically correct and appearing in reputable sources such as The New York Times and scientific publications, it is relatively rare. When writing, use it to transition from specifics to a general understanding, but avoid overuse in simple contexts where a more direct phrase would suffice. Alternatives include "the main issue", "the general situation", and "the big picture".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the main issue

Focuses specifically on the primary problem or concern.

the general situation

Highlights the broad circumstances surrounding a topic.

the big picture

Emphasizes understanding the context from a wider perspective.

the whole situation

Stresses the entirety of the circumstances.

the complete picture

Highlights that all details are considered in understanding the context.

the comprehensive issue

Emphasizes thoroughness in considering the topic.

the overarching theme

Focuses on the dominant and recurring idea.

the principal concern

Highlights the key worry or focus of attention.

the fundamental aspect

Points out the most basic or essential element.

the key point

Stresses the most important idea or takeaway.

FAQs

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

You can use "the overall matter" to refer to a general topic or issue, often to summarize or encapsulate the main points of a discussion. For example: "After reviewing all the evidence, we can conclude that "the overall matter" requires further investigation."

What can I say instead of "the overall matter"?

You can use alternatives like "the main issue", "the general situation", or "the big picture" depending on the context.

Is "the overall matter" formal or informal?

The phrase ""the overall matter"" is generally considered neutral to formal. More informal synonyms include "the gist" or "the bottom line".

How does "the overall matter" differ from "the specific details"?

"The overall matter" refers to the general subject or issue, while "the specific details" refer to the individual facts, data, or aspects that make up that issue. Understanding both is often necessary for a complete picture.