what the matter was

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase ‘what the matter was’ is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when referring to a particular problem or issue. For example, “I wanted to know what the matter was so I asked my friend to explain.”.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

"I don't know what the matter was.

The New York Times - Sports

My manager eventually noticed that something was wrong and asked me what the matter was privately.

The Guardian - Money

I could see instantly he had been crying, so I asked what the matter was.

The Guardian - Arts

I put an arm around her shoulders, risking a diplomatic incident, and asked what the matter was.

The New Yorker

I asked what the matter was and the older pointed at the goose and wailed, "That's Daisy".

The New York Times

The barmaid (Rose Ellen MacGooch, Donal MacGooch's youngest) laid a hand on his forearm and asked him what the matter was, though we all knew.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

Consider first, man, what the matter is, and what your own nature is able to bear.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

And when a patient is unreasonable I know exactly what the matter is.

BMC Family Practice

What does matter is hitting the double.

BBC

What mattered was the statement accompanying the Federal Reserve's decision.

The Economist

What mattered was the band.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "what the matter was" when seeking to understand the underlying cause of a person's distress or a specific problem. It's suitable for situations where you suspect something is wrong and want to find out more.

Common error

Avoid using "what the matter is?" when a more direct question like "what is the problem?" would be clearer. "What the matter was" is best when referring to a past situation or a more nuanced issue that isn't immediately obvious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what the matter was" functions as an interrogative phrase used to inquire about the cause of a problem or someone's distress. Ludwig provides numerous examples showing its usage in asking for explanations or reasons behind a situation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Vice

15%

Less common in

Science

2%

Academia

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "what the matter was" serves as a direct yet concerned inquiry into the source of a problem or someone's distress. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. Predominantly found in News & Media, it holds a neutral register, making it suitable for various contexts. While alternatives like "what was wrong" or "what happened" exist, "what the matter was" is particularly useful when referring to a past situation or a more subtle issue. When used, make sure you are using it for a past issue and not a present one.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what the problem was

This is a more direct synonym focusing specifically on identifying the issue.

what the trouble was

This alternative uses "trouble" instead of "matter", conveying a sense of difficulty or distress.

what the issue was

This alternative substitutes "issue" for "matter", implying a point of discussion or concern.

what was wrong

This alternative directly asks about the problem or issue, employing simpler vocabulary.

what was amiss

This alternative uses a more formal and slightly archaic term, "amiss", to inquire about something being wrong.

what happened

This alternative inquires about the events that occurred, implying a problem or incident.

what had occurred

This alternative uses more formal language and emphasizes the sequence of events.

what was going on

This alternative suggests a more active and potentially ongoing situation.

can you tell me what happened

This alternative is a more polite way of asking, adding "can you tell me" for a softer approach.

what's eating you

This alternative is an idiom expressing concern, implying that something is bothering the person.

FAQs

How can I use "what the matter was" in a sentence?

You can use "what the matter was" to inquire about a past issue or concern. For instance, "I noticed she was upset, so I asked her what the matter was."

What's a more formal way to ask /s/what+the+matter+was?

A more formal alternative to "what the matter was" could be "could you please explain what occurred?" or "could you elaborate on "what had happened"?"

Which is correct, "what the matter is" or "what the matter was"?

Both phrases are grammatically sound, but they are used in different contexts. "What the matter is" is for present situations, while "what the matter was" refers to a past event or situation.

What can I say instead of /s/what+the+matter+was when someone seems troubled?

Instead of "what the matter was", you could say "what was wrong?", "what happened?", or "what the problem was?"