Matters vs That's got to count for something

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Matters

Top 1,000 (very common)

That's got to count for something

Top 2,000 (common)
Most common: Matters
 MattersThat's got to count for something
Pronunciation🇬🇧 //ˈmætəz//🇺🇸 //ˈmætərz//🇬🇧 //ðæts ɡɒt tə kaʊnt fə ˈsʌmθɪŋ//🇺🇸 //ðæts ɡɑt tʊ kaʊnt fɔr ˈsʌmθɪŋ//
MeaningThings that are important or that need attention.This means that something should be important or noticed.
ExampleThese issues are serious matters that we cannot ignore.After all the hard work, that's got to count for something.
RegisterNeutralNeutral
How commonTop 1,000 (very common)Top 2,000 (common)
Collocationsimportant matters, serious matters, personal matters, legal matterscount for something, has got to matter, important contribution, make a difference, significant effort
Antonymsinsignificance, unimportance-
Common mistakesConfused with 'matter' in singular versus plural use., Misusing 'matters' as a countable noun., Using 'matters' in an overly formal context.Used in formal writing where it may seem too casual., Confused with 'That has to matter' which sounds similar but has a different tone.
Usage notesUse 'matters' in discussions when emphasizing importance. Avoid using it in casual contexts without significance.Use in situations where you want to emphasize that an effort or quality is valuable. It's appropriate in both spoken and written contexts.

See it in real clips

Matters
That's got to count for something

Frequently asked questions: Matters vs That's got to count for something

What's the difference between Matters and That's got to count for something?

Matters: Things that are important or that need attention. That's got to count for something: This means that something should be important or noticed.

Which is more common: Matters and That's got to count for something?

Matters is the most common in everyday English.

Can you show an example of each?

Matters: These issues are serious matters that we cannot ignore. That's got to count for something: After all the hard work, that's got to count for something.

Can I use Matters and That's got to count for something interchangeably?

Not always. Matters and That's got to count for something 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.

Related comparisons