whatever the matter

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "whatever the matter" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to any issue or problem without specifying what it is. Example: "I will help you with whatever the matter may be, so don't hesitate to reach out."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

But whatever the matter at hand - the creation of the Great Ohio Desert (GOD) in Broom, or the packs of feral hamsters menacing Infinite Jest - he always grounded the outlandish with adroit writing and penetrating observation.

The Guardian - Books

What was it you read?…Chapad?…" Bashir then answered, "Chapad Jhunjhun!" One soldier said as if with great knowledge, "Whatever the matter is, it lies here". Subedar Himmat Khan thought this appropriate.

Johns Hopkins University

The only way to do business with the IRS is via the United States Postal Service or by telephone -- and if you are contacted by phone, it's a good rule of thumb to tell the person who called you that you are concerned about security, and you need a reference number or department because you are going to call back on the IRS main phone line about whatever the matter may be.

Huffington Post

On the contrary, some of them argued that the act of contacting a casualty clinic often reflected a desperate need for help from the parts involved, and that they as GPs had a strong obligation to help whatever the matter.

BMC Health Services Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Whatever the subject matter — and the essays here range from Edward Hopper to the Rita Hayworth vehicle "Gilda" to Yiddish, his first language — Michaels channels the full force of his intellectual and narrative abilities into a voice that is at once sensitive and unyielding.

The New York Times - Books

That's the one area where I allowed myself to use the same style I use in my illustration work, where everything is pretty realistic and detailed and whatever the subject matter is, I'm trying to make it as beautiful as possible, even if it's just a picture of a coffee cup on an airplane tray table.

The Guardian - Books

So whatever the subject matter it does no harm to look at the forces at work behind images you see in the news, or indeed elsewhere.

BBC

FolloWeVICELAND on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Vice

If the reporter does not provide you with a list in advance, prepare yourself by noting the most important aspects of whatever the subject matter is.

WikiHow

Whatever the subject, no matter who they're addressing, or how much notice they have been given, they can give an effortless presentation.

Science Magazine

I was not much less than 8 years old, and i could not have been older than 8. Whatever the legal matter, Dad appeared alone before the judge, who of course seemed old to me.

Princeton University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "whatever the matter" to indicate that you are willing to address any issue, known or unknown. It adds a sense of openness and support.

Common error

While generally acceptable, "whatever the matter" can sound slightly informal. In strictly formal writing, consider more precise alternatives like "regardless of the specific issue" or "irrespective of the circumstances".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "whatever the matter" functions as a conjunction phrase, introducing a clause that indicates a willingness to address an unspecified issue or problem. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and acceptable for use in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "whatever the matter" is a grammatically sound and generally acceptable phrase used to express a willingness to address an unspecified issue or problem. While Ludwig AI validates its correctness, it's important to consider the context. The phrase is most commonly found in news and media, academic writing, and scientific publications. For more formal settings, substituting with phrases like "regardless of the issue" or "irrespective of the concern" might be more appropriate. However, in general conversation and many writing scenarios, "whatever the matter" serves as a concise and effective way to offer support.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

whatever the problem is

This alternative is a more verbose version of the original phrase.

whatever may be the issue

This alternative uses a more formal tone.

regardless of the issue

This alternative focuses on dismissing the specific problem.

no matter the problem

This alternative emphasizes the insignificance of the problem.

irrespective of the concern

This alternative highlights the irrelevance of the concern.

whatever the difficulty

This alternative substitutes "difficulty" for "matter".

regardless of what's wrong

This alternative uses simpler language.

no matter what the trouble is

This alternative uses the word "trouble" instead of "matter".

regardless of the situation

This alternative broadens the scope to any situation, not just a problem.

irrespective of the details

This alternative emphasizes the unimportance of specific details.

FAQs

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

You can use "whatever the matter" to express willingness to help, such as: "I am here to assist you, "whatever the matter" may be."

What phrases are similar to "whatever the matter"?

Similar phrases include "regardless of the issue", "no matter the problem", or "irrespective of the concern".

Is "whatever the matter" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "whatever the matter" can sound slightly informal. For formal writing, consider "regardless of the specific issue" or "irrespective of the circumstances".

What's the difference between "whatever the matter" and "whatever is the matter"?

"Whatever the matter" is a more concise and common way to express the sentiment. "Whatever is the matter" is grammatically correct but less frequently used and may sound slightly awkward.