which matters to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which matters to" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to introduce a clause that explains the importance or relevance of something in relation to the subject of the sentence. Example: "The company's mission statement outlines their commitment to customer satisfaction, which matters to their overall success and reputation in the industry."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

That's the only thing which matters to me".

The New York Times

Bernie Sanders is getting at something powerful, which matters to a lot more people than socialists.

The New Yorker

His mother dies and his favourite shoeshine boy dies, and he's unsure which matters to him more.

Independent

Those proposals are made when the general managers reconvene in March, but the fall meeting is when they decide which matters to study and revisit in the spring.

The New York Times

An estimated 23% of the year's harvest was washed away, including a quarter of the cotton crop, which matters to the economy.

The Economist

Fully 42 of the church's 44 dioceses are in favour, as are three-quarters of the general public which matters to an established church.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

The first lesson is that we must address the issues which matter to people, not those which matter to politicians.

The Guardian

None of which mattered to Ms. Johnson, who braved driving rain to line up for her free shoes.

The New York Times

Two of the series that stand out from that period were Opinions, in which figures such as EP Thompson, Edward Teller and Salman Rushdie spoke to camera for half an hour on a topic which mattered to them, and Eichler's creation, Voices.

The Guardian

They knew what I was going through, which mattered to me.

Huffington Post

(There are other outlets, like MTV2 and BET, which matter to hip-hop and indie bands, but they don't have anything like MTV's influence or reach).

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "which matters to", ensure the clause clearly and directly relates to the noun it modifies, avoiding ambiguity in the sentence's meaning.

Common error

Avoid separating "which matters to" too far from the noun it modifies. This can cause confusion. Instead, position the clause immediately after the noun to maintain clarity.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "which matters to" is to introduce a non-restrictive relative clause, adding extra information about a noun or pronoun. As Ludwig AI explains, it explains the importance or relevance of something to the subject. Many examples are available on Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Science

8%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "which matters to" serves as a crucial phrase for introducing non-restrictive clauses that specify the importance or relevance of a subject. Grammatically sound and frequently used, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is versatile across various registers, particularly prevalent in News & Media. Mastering its usage involves ensuring clear connections to the modified noun and avoiding misplaced modifiers. Alternatives like "that is important to" and "what is significant for" offer stylistic variations while maintaining semantic integrity. Remember to use "that" for restrictive clauses instead of "which" to avoid misusing the word.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that is important to

Replaces "matters" with a more direct synonym, emphasizing importance.

what is significant for

Focuses on the significance or relevance of something.

that is relevant to

Highlights the relevance or pertinence of the subject.

what counts for

Emphasizes the value or worth of something.

that has importance for

Similar to "that is important to", but uses a slightly more formal tone.

that carries weight with

Highlights the influence or impact of something on someone.

what holds value for

Focuses on the perceived value or benefit.

that bears upon

Uses a more formal and literary expression to indicate relevance.

what is of concern to

Indicates something is a source of worry or interest.

that has consequence for

Highlights potential effects or ramifications.

FAQs

How can I use "which matters to" in a sentence?

Use "which matters to" to introduce a clause that specifies why something is significant to someone or something else. For example, "The quality of education, "which matters to" parents, should be a priority."

What are some alternatives to "which matters to"?

You can use alternatives such as "that is important to", "that is relevant to", or "what is significant for" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "that matters to" or "which matters to"?

Both "that matters to" and "which matters to" are grammatically correct, but "that" is typically used for restrictive clauses (essential to the meaning of the sentence), while "which" is used for non-restrictive clauses (adding extra information). For example "The policy that matters to employees will be implemented soon" vs "The policy, "which matters to" employees, is under review".

How does the formality of "which matters to" compare to other phrases?

The phrase ""which matters to"" is generally neutral in tone. More formal alternatives include "that is of consequence to", while more informal options might be "what's a big deal for".