matter of fact
720
6.6
- noun
- /ˈmætər əv fækt/
- Formal
:
cuestión de hecho
- In court, the lawyer presented a matter of fact that contradicted the witness's testimony.
We can have all sorts of matters of fact about what Hume calls the passions.
- We can have all sorts of matters of fact about what Hume calls the passions.
- And it's a matter of fact, we've seen prices coming down for Russian gas, for the countries that have these alternative supplies.
- Again, not taking politics in into a play of it, but it's a matter of fact.
Examples
-
During the meeting, we focused on the matter of fact that the project was behind schedule.
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No, so as a matter of fact, they asked us about it.
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As a matter of fact, anyone driving a Formula One car.
-
Choosing his words carefully, he said, "Sarah, as a matter of fact, we just did."
Fiction book (1992) -
As a matter of fact, I thought he'd be here this afternoon.
-
Finally, she said, "As a matter of fact, I believe you can, if you'd be willing."
Fiction book (1990) -
And it's a matter of fact, we've seen prices coming down for Russian gas, for the countries that have these alternative supplies.
-
As a matter of fact, he's a Republican.
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As a matter of fact, we don't make mistakes.
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As a matter of fact, I'll have plenty to say about smears on my show today.
Synonyms
∞
1.0
Something that can be shown to be true, not an opinion
2
6.7
An issue about what really happened for a jury or judge to decide
Antonyms
How Factual
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase is compositionally built from 'matter' (an issue or subject) + 'of' + 'fact' (a verifiable truth), so a learner who knows the constituents can infer it refers to an issue concerning facts rather than opinion. This structural, semantic relation is common across languages and follows normal English noun + of + noun patterns, making the meaning predictable for a B1 learner.
Etymology
Matter of fact comes from calling a matter a thing or question and a fact something real you can check. So when people say matter of fact today, they mean an issue 'about actual facts' rather than an opinion.