The English language has a number of hard-working words. People use these words in many different ways and in many different expressions.

One such example is the word matter. As a matter of fact， matter can mean just about anything. When talking about science， matter is the material or substance that things are made of.

In fact， matter could be one of the most useful words in the English language. But that is just a matter of opinion. Actually， it is more than that. Matter is one of those words that matter a lot.

Let us take a minute and really get to the heart of the matter—in other words， let’s get to the most important part. Or it could be what we call a matter of principle.

Let’s say someone claims that you owe them $50. But you don’t. A friend might say， “Well， you could pay him the $50. It’s not that much money. Then you won’t have to hear him complain anymore. But if you do not owe him the money， do not pay him the money. It’s a matter of principle.”

Your friend raises a good point. It’s not the amount of money that is important. It’s a matter of principle.

Now， let us get back to two more scientific meanings of matter. Scientists say that dark matter makes up most of our universe. And when people talk about gray matter， they are talking about the brain.

There is another way to use the word matter. But be careful with your choice of words.

If you ask someone “What’s the matter？” it shows you are concerned about the other person. You usually ask someone“What’s the matter？” if the person looks angry or worried.

But saying， “What’s the matter with you？” has a completely different meaning. And it usually sounds rude or offensive.

In fact， when you say， “What’s the matter with you？” you are not really asking what is wrong with the person. You are suggesting that the individual did something wrong or stupid. So be careful with that one！

Another expression that could sound rude is to say， “It doesn’t matter to me.” Here， it depends on the context， or situation， and how you say it.

Here are two examples. Let’s say you tell someone that a friend just got a big raise at work and will be making a lot more money. That person answers with， “It doesn’t matter to me.” Here， it means he or she does not care. And it sounds rude.

But saying， “Oh， you pick where we eat dinner. It doesn’t matter to me.” does not sound rude or offensive.

In this context and tone of voice， “it doesn’t matter” shows you are easy-going and are willing to do what the other person wants.

No matter how you slice it…no matter how you look at it…no matter what you say…matter is a very hard-working word.

Now， it is time to take matters into your own hands. Try using these expressions with the word matter.

It’s only a matter of time before you will become an expert on the use of matter. And as for this program…this matter is closed.

matter 可作名詞，意思是：事件；問題；物質；內(nèi)容；實質；原因；（印刷或書寫的）文件；（文章或講話等的）素材。也可作動詞，意思是：有關系；要緊。

as a matter of fact 用以加強語氣，意思是：事實上；說真的；其實。

a matter of opinion 看法不同的問題

get to the heart of the matter 抓住事物的本質

a matter of principle 原則問題

dark matter [天]暗物質

gray matter 灰質；腦灰質；智力

What’s the matter？ 怎么了？出什么事了？

What’s the matter with you？ 意思是：你怎么了？你吃錯藥了吧？你怎么搞的？

It doesn’t matter to me. 這和我沒有關系。

it doesn’t matter 沒關系；不要緊的意思。

no matter how 無論如何；無論怎樣；不管如何的意思。

no matter what 意思是：不管什么；無論什么。

take matters into your own hands 意思是：把事情接過來親自處理。

it’s only a matter of time 只是時間的問題。