Cool MateMatter vs Things
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Matter
Top 1,000 (very common)A2noun
Things
High-frequency chunk
| Matter | Things | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈmætə(r)/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈmætər/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //θɪŋz//🇺🇸 //θɪŋz// |
| Meaning | A subject or issue that needs to be discussed or considered. | objects or items in general |
| Example | Does it really matter what others think of you? | I need to buy some things for the party. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | High-frequency chunk |
| CEFR level | A2 | - |
| Part of speech | noun | |
| Collocations | important, pressing, serious, bring up, broach, raise, be related to, pertain to, relate to, in a/the matter, on a/the matter, matter for, the crux of the matter, the heart of the matter, let the matter drop, complicate, confuse, make worse, solid, organic, vegetable, solid, organic, vegetable | great things, little things, important things, strange things, funny things |
| Antonyms | trifle, insignificance | nothing, void, absent |
| Common mistakes | Confusing 'matter' with 'material' — they have different meanings., Using 'mattered' instead of 'matter' in present tense situations., Overusing 'matter' in every situation — it’s better for specific contexts. | Using 'thing' instead of 'things' for plural contexts., Confusing 'things' with 'items' in formal situations. |
| Usage notes | Used when something is important or relevant to someone. More common in informal contexts when discussing personal feelings or opinions. Avoid using it in very formal writing. | Used to refer to objects, ideas, or activities; can be vague. Avoid in formal writing. |
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Frequently asked questions: Matter vs Things
What's the difference between Matter and Things?
Matter: A subject or issue that needs to be discussed or considered. Things: objects or items in general
Can you show an example of each?
Matter: Does it really matter what others think of you? Things: I need to buy some things for the party.
Can I use Matter and Things interchangeably?
Not always. Matter and Things 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.