Cool MateIt doesn't matter vs So what he'd do
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
It doesn't matter
So what he'd do
| It doesn't matter | So what he'd do | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ɪt ˈdʌzənt ˈmætə//🇺🇸 //ɪt ˈdʌzənt ˈmætər// | 🇬🇧 //səʊ wɒt hiːd duː//🇺🇸 //soʊ wɑt hid du// |
| Meaning | It is not important. | A phrase used to express indifference or dismissal about someone's actions. |
| Example | I forgot my book, but that’s okay; it doesn’t matter. | When she complained about the movie, I thought, 'So what he'd do?' |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| Collocations | doesn't matter what, it doesn't matter if, doesn't matter anymore | so what if, so what happens next, so what does it mean, so what should I do, so what about it |
| Antonyms | it matters, is important | - |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'it matters', Using in overly formal situations, Incorrectly applying in serious contexts | Using it too formally in business discussions., Misunderstanding the tone; it can sound dismissive., Confusing with similar phrases like 'So what did he do?' |
| Usage notes | Used to indicate that something is not significant or does not affect the outcome. Appropriate in both casual and formal contexts, but can sound dismissive if overused. | "So what he'd do" is often used in casual conversations to show that someone's actions or opinions are not important to the speaker. It's not typically used in formal settings. |
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Frequently asked questions: It doesn't matter vs So what he'd do
What's the difference between It doesn't matter and So what he'd do?
It doesn't matter: It is not important. So what he'd do: A phrase used to express indifference or dismissal about someone's actions.
Which is more formal: It doesn't matter and So what he'd do?
It doesn't matter is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: It doesn't matter and So what he'd do?
It doesn't matter is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
It doesn't matter: I forgot my book, but that’s okay; it doesn’t matter. So what he'd do: When she complained about the movie, I thought, 'So what he'd do?'
Can I use It doesn't matter and So what he'd do interchangeably?
Not always. It doesn't matter and So what he'd do are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.