Matter vs. Issue — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Maham Liaqat — Updated on March 21, 2024
Matter refers to a subject or situation under consideration, often neutral, while issue denotes a problem or dispute that requires resolution.
Difference Between Matter and Issue
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A matter is a broad term that encompasses any topic, subject, or area of interest being discussed, considered, or investigated. It implies a neutral stance, without inherently suggesting a positive or negative connotation. Matters can be anything from mundane daily tasks to complex theoretical concepts. On the other hand, an issue specifically refers to a problem, disagreement, or point of contention that arises within a matter and demands attention or resolution. Issues carry a more negative connotation, indicating challenges or obstacles that need to be addressed.
While matters can encompass a wide range of topics, including issues, issues are inherently problematic aspects that are typically subsets of broader matters. For example, discussing environmental conservation as a matter might lead to addressing pollution as a specific issue within that matter. This distinction highlights the nature of issues as components within matters that require special focus or action.
Matters often serve as the basis for discussions, plans, or studies, setting the stage for identifying and addressing any issues that may arise. In contrast, issues demand more immediate action or decision-making to resolve conflicts, misunderstandings, or difficulties. The process of dealing with an issue often involves analyzing the broader matter to understand its context and find a suitable resolution.
The terminology used in professional and casual contexts reflects the distinction between these concepts. Matters are generally referred to when discussing the subject of interest or concern in a broad sense, while issues are identified when specific problems come to light that necessitate intervention or consideration beyond general discussion.
Addressing issues within a matter requires a problem-solving approach, focusing on identifying, understanding, and resolving the specific challenges at hand. This may involve negotiation, research, and the implementation of solutions. On the other hand, exploring a matter is more about gaining a comprehensive understanding or developing an informed opinion on the topic.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A subject or situation under consideration
A problem or dispute needing resolution
Connotation
Neutral
Negative, implies challenges
Scope
Broad, can encompass any topic
Specific, related to problems within matters
Role in Discussion
Basis for discussion, investigation
Points of contention, requiring action
Action Required
General consideration or exploration
Specific resolution or decision-making
Compare with Definitions
Matter
Topics for consideration or study.
Quantum physics is a complex matter that fascinates scientists.
Issue
A problem within a broader topic.
Water scarcity is a critical issue in environmental conservation.
Matter
A neutral term for topics of discussion.
The matter of budget allocation requires thorough analysis.
Issue
A matter that demands resolution.
Addressing the issue of employee turnover is our top priority.
Matter
Any subject or area of interest.
Environmental sustainability is an important matter for global discussion.
Issue
Disagreements or disputes to be resolved.
The legal issue was settled out of court.
Matter
A situation warranting attention.
The matter of public health has become predominant in policy discussions.
Issue
A point of debate or contention.
The main issue in the negotiation was the division of responsibilities.
Matter
Issues or items to be discussed.
We have several matters to address in today's meeting.
Issue
Specific challenges to be overcome.
Technical issues delayed the project's completion.
Matter
In classical physics and general chemistry, matter is any substance that has mass and takes up space by having volume. All everyday objects that can be touched are ultimately composed of atoms, which are made up of interacting subatomic particles, and in everyday as well as scientific usage, "matter" generally includes atoms and anything made up of them, and any particles (or combination of particles) that act as if they have both rest mass and volume.
Issue
A point or matter of discussion, debate, or dispute
What legal and moral issues should we consider?.
Matter
Physical substance in general, as distinct from mind and spirit; (in physics) that which occupies space and possesses rest mass, especially as distinct from energy
The structure and properties of matter
Issue
A matter of public concern
Debated economic issues.
Matter
A subject or situation under consideration
Financial matters
A great deal of work was done on this matter
Issue
A misgiving, objection, or complaint
Had issues with the plan to change the curriculum.
Matter
The reason for distress or a problem
What's the matter?
Issue
A problem or difficulty.
Matter
The substance or content of a text as distinct from its style or form.
Issue
A personal problem
Is convinced that her boss has issues.
Matter
Be important or significant
It doesn't matter what the guests wear
What did it matter to them?
Issue
The act of circulating, distributing, or publishing by a business, government, or organization
Government issue of new bonds.
Matter
(of a wound) secrete or discharge pus.
Issue
An item or set of items, as stamps or coins, made available at one time by a business, government, or organization.
Matter
That which occupies space and has mass; physical substance.
Issue
A single copy of a periodical
The May issue of the magazine.
Matter
A type of such substance
Organic matter.
Issue
A distinct set of copies of an edition of a book distinguished from others of that edition by variations in the printed matter.
Matter
Discharge or waste, such as pus or feces, from a living organism.
Issue
Proceeds from estates or fines.
Matter
(Philosophy) In Aristotelian and Scholastic use, that which is in itself undifferentiated and formless and which, as the subject of change and development, receives form and becomes substance.
Issue
Something proceeding from a specified source
Suspicions that were the issue of a deranged mind.
Matter
The substance of thought or expression as opposed to the manner in which it is stated or conveyed.
Issue
A culminating point leading to a decision
Bring a case to an issue.
Matter
A subject of concern, feeling, or action
Matters of foreign policy.
A personal matter.
Issue
A final result or conclusion, as a solution to a problem.
Matter
Trouble or difficulty
What's the matter with your car?.
Issue
The act or an instance of flowing, passing, or giving out
Where the lake gives issue to its waters.
Matter
An approximated quantity, amount, or extent
The construction will last a matter of years.
Issue
A place of egress; an outlet
A lake with no issue to the sea.
Matter
Something printed or otherwise set down in writing
Reading matter.
Issue
A lesion, wound, or ulcer producing such a discharge.
Matter
To be of importance
"Love is most nearly itself / When here and now cease to matter" (T.S. Eliot).
Issue
Offspring; progeny
Died without issue.
Matter
(uncountable) Material; substance.
Issue
To flow, go, or come out
Water issuing from a spring.
Voices issuing from a room.
Matter
(physics) The basic structural component of the universe, usually having mass and volume.
Issue
To proceed from a source; emerge or come forth
Ideas issuing from a discussion. ].
Matter
(physics) Matter made up of normal particles, not antiparticles.
Issue
The action or an instance of flowing or coming out, an outflow, particularly:
Matter
A kind of substance.
Vegetable matter
Issue
A movement of soldiers towards an enemy, a sortie.
Matter
Material, especially in books or magazines.
He always took some reading matter with him on the plane.
Issue
Someone or something that flows out or comes out, particularly:
Matter
(philosophy) Aristotelian: undeveloped potentiality subject to change and development; formlessness. Matter receives form, and becomes substance.
Issue
The bodily fluid drained through a natural or artificial issue.
Matter
An affair, condition, or subject, especially one of concern or (especially when preceded by the) one that is problematic.
Is much the matter with the old plan?
Something is the matter with him.
State matters
Issue
Offspring: one's natural child or children.
He died lawyered up.
Matter
An approximate amount or extent.
I stayed for a matter of months.
Issue
Progeny: all one's lineal descendants.
Although his own kingdom disappeared, his issue went on to rule a quarter of Europe.
Matter
(obsolete) essence; pith; embodiment.
Issue
A race of people considered as the descendants of some common ancestor.
Matter
(obsolete) (The) inducing cause or reason, especially of anything disagreeable or distressing.
Issue
The produce or income derived from farmland or rental properties.
3. A conveys to B all right to the real property aforementioned for a term of _____ years, with all said real property's attendant issues, rents, and profits.
Matter
To be important.
The only thing that matters to Jim is being rich.
Sorry for pouring ketchup on your clean white shirt! - Oh, don't worry, it does not matter.
Issue
Income derived from fines levied by a court or law-enforcement officer; the fines themselves.
Matter
To care about, to mind; to find important.
Issue
The entrails of a slaughtered animal.
Matter
To form pus or matter, as an abscess; to maturate.
Issue
Any action or deed performed by a person.
Matter
That of which anything is composed; constituent substance; material; the material or substantial part of anything; the constituent elements of conception; that into which a notion may be analyzed; the essence; the pith; the embodiment.
He is the matter of virtue.
Issue
Luck considered as the favor or disfavor of nature, the gods, or God.
Matter
That of which the sensible universe and all existent bodies are composed; anything which has extension, occupies space, or is perceptible by the senses; body; substance.
Issue
A single edition of a newspaper or other periodical publication.
Yeah, I just got the June issue of Wombatboy.
Matter
That with regard to, or about which, anything takes place or is done; the thing aimed at, treated of, or treated; subject of action, discussion, consideration, feeling, complaint, legal action, or the like; theme.
Son of God, Savior of men! Thy nameShall be the copious matter of my song.
Every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge.
Issue
The entire set of some item printed and disseminated during a certain period, particularly a single printing of a particular edition of a work when contrasted with other print runs.
The May 1918 issue of US 24-cent stamps became famous when a printer's error inverted its depiction of an airmail plane.
Matter
That which one has to treat, or with which one has to do; concern; affair; business.
To help the matter, the alchemists call in many vanities out of astrology.
Some young female seems to have carried matters so far, that she is ripe for asking advice.
Issue
(finance) Any financial instrument issued by a company.
The company's issues have included securities.
Matter
Affair worthy of account; thing of consequence; importance; significance; moment; - chiefly in the phrases what matter? no matter, and the like.
A prophet some, and some a poet, cry;No matter which, so neither of them lie.
Issue
The loan of a book etc. from a library to a patron; all such loans by a given library during a given period.
Matter
Inducing cause or occasion, especially of anything disagreeable or distressing; difficulty; trouble.
And this is the matter why interpreters upon that passage in Hosea will not consent it to be a true story, that the prophet took a harlot to wife.
Issue
The means or opportunity by which something flows or comes out, particularly:
Matter
Amount; quantity; portion; space; - often indefinite.
Away he goes, . . . a matter of seven miles.
I have thoughts to tarry a small matter.
No small matter of British forces were commanded over sea the year before.
Issue
A sewer.
Matter
Substance excreted from living animal bodies; that which is thrown out or discharged in a tumor, boil, or abscess; pus; purulent substance.
Issue
The place where something flows or comes out, an outlet, particularly:
Matter
That which is permanent, or is supposed to be given, and in or upon which changes are effected by psychological or physical processes and relations; - opposed to form.
Issue
An exit from a room or building.
Matter
Written manuscript, or anything to be set in type; copy; also, type set up and ready to be used, or which has been used, in printing.
Waller, with Sir William Balfour, exceeded in horse, but were, upon the whole matter, equal in foot.
Issue
A confluence: the mouth of a river; the outlet of a lake or other body of water.
Matter
To be of importance; to import; to signify.
It matters not how they were called.
Issue
The action or an instance of sending something out, particularly:
The issue of the directive from the treasury prompted the central bank's most recent issue of currency.
Matter
To form pus or matter, as an abscess; to maturate.
Issue
A small incision, tear, or artificial ulcer, used to drain fluid and usually held open with a pea or other small object.
Matter
To regard as important; to take account of; to care for.
He did not matter cold nor hunger.
Issue
The production or distribution of something for general use.
Congress delegated the issue of US currency to the Federal Reserve in 1913.
Matter
That which has mass and occupies space;
An atom is the smallest indivisible unit of matter
Issue
The distribution of something (particularly rations or standardized provisions) to someone or some group.
The uniform was standard prison issue.
Matter
A vaguely specified concern;
Several matters to attend to
It is none of your affair
Things are going well
Issue
(finance) The action or an instance of a company selling bonds, stock, or other securities.
The company's stock issue diluted his ownership.
Matter
Some situation or event that is thought about;
He kept drifting off the topic
He had been thinking about the subject for several years
It is a matter for the police
Issue
Any question or situation to be resolved, particularly:
Please stand by. We are having technical issues.
Matter
A problem;
Is anything the matter?
Issue
A point of law or fact in dispute or question in a legal action presented for resolution by the court.
The issue before the court is whether participation in a group blog makes the plaintiff a public figure under the relevant statute.
Matter
(used with negation) having consequence;
They were friends and it was no matter who won the games
Issue
Anything in dispute, an area of disagreement whose resolution is being debated or decided.
For chrissakes, John, don't make an issue out of it. Just sleep on the floor if you want.
Matter
Written works (especially in books or magazines);
He always took some reading matter with him on the plane
Issue
A dispute between two alternatives, a dilemma.
Matter
Have weight; have import, carry weight;
It does not matter much
Issue
A psychological or emotional difficulty, any problem or concern considered as a vague and intractable difficulty.
She has daddy issues, mommy issues, drug issues, money issues, trust issues, printer issues... I'm just sayin', girl's got issues.
Issue
The action or an instance of concluding something, particularly:
Issue
The end of any action or process.
Issue
The end of any period of time.
Issue
The end result of an event or events, any result or outcome, particularly:
Issue
The result of a discussion or negotiation, an agreement.
Issue
The result of an investigation or consideration, a conclusion.
Issue
The action or an instance of feeling some emotion.
Issue
The action or an instance of leaving any state or condition.
Issue
To flow out, to proceed from, to come out or from.
The water issued forth from the spring.
The rents issuing from the land permitted him to live as a man of independent means.
Issue
To rush out, to sally forth.
The men issued from the town and attacked the besiegers.
Issue
To extend into, to open onto.
The road issues into the highway.
Issue
To turn out in a certain way, to result in.
Issue
(archaic) To end up as, to turn out being, to become as a result.
Issue
(legal) To come to a point in fact or law on which the parties join issue.
Issue
To send out; to put into circulation.
The Federal Reserve issues US dollars.
Issue
To deliver for use.
The prison issued new uniforms for the inmates.
Issue
To deliver by authority.
The court issued a writ of mandamus.
Issue
The act of sending out, or causing to go forth; delivery; issuance; as, the issue of an order from a commanding officer; the issue of money from a treasury.
Issue
That which passes, flows, or is sent out; the whole quantity sent forth or emitted at one time; as, an issue of bank notes; the daily issue of a newspaper.
Issue
Progeny; a child or children; offspring. In law, sometimes, in a general sense, all persons descended from a common ancestor; all lineal descendants.
If the kingShould without issue die.
Issue
Produce of the earth, or profits of land, tenements, or other property; as, A conveyed to B all his right for a term of years, with all the issues, rents, and profits.
Issue
An artificial ulcer, usually made in the fleshy part of the arm or leg, to produce the secretion and discharge of pus for the relief of some affected part.
Issue
The final outcome or result; upshot; conclusion; event; hence, contest; test; trial.
Come forth to viewThe issue of the exploit.
While it is hot, I 'll put it to the issue.
Issue
A point in debate or controversy on which the parties take affirmative and negative positions; a presentation of alternatives between which to choose or decide; a point of contention; a matter in controversy.
Issue
In pleading, a single material point of law or fact depending in the suit, which, being affirmed on the one side and denied on the other, is presented for determination. See General issue, under General, and Feigned issue, under Feigned.
As much at issue with the summer dayAs if you brought a candle out of doors.
Issue
To go out; to rush out; to sally forth; as, troops issued from the town, and attacked the besiegers.
Issue
To proceed, as from a source; as, water issues from springs; light issues from the sun.
Issue
To proceed, as progeny; to be derived; to be descended; to spring.
Of thy sons that shall issue from thee.
Issue
To extend; to pass or open; as, the path issues into the highway.
Issue
To be produced as an effect or result; to grow or accrue; to arise; to proceed; as, rents and profits issuing from land, tenements, or a capital stock.
Issue
To close; to end; to terminate; to turn out; as, we know not how the cause will issue.
Issue
In pleading, to come to a point in fact or law, on which the parties join issue.
Issue
To send out; to put into circulation; as, to issue notes from a bank.
Issue
To deliver for use; as, to issue provisions.
Issue
To send out officially; to deliver by authority; as, to issue an order; to issue a writ.
Issue
An important question that is in dispute and must be settled;
The issue could be settled by requiring public education for everyone
Politicians never discuss the real issues
Issue
One of a series published periodically;
She found an old issue of the magazine in her dentist's waitingroom
Issue
The provision of something by issuing it (usually in quantity);
A new issue of stamps
The last issue of penicillin was over a month ago
Issue
Some situation or event that is thought about;
He kept drifting off the topic
He had been thinking about the subject for several years
It is a matter for the police
Issue
Supplies (as food or clothing or ammunition) issued by the government
Issue
The immediate descendants of a person;
She was the mother of many offspring
He died without issue
Issue
A phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon;
The magnetic effect was greater when the rod was lengthwise
His decision had depressing consequences for business
He acted very wise after the event
Issue
The income arising from land or other property;
The average return was about 5%
Issue
The becoming visible;
Not a day's difference between the emergence of the andrenas and the opening of the willow catkins
Issue
An opening that permits escape or release;
He blocked the way out
The canyon had only one issue
Issue
The act of issuing printed materials
Issue
Prepare and issue for public distribution or sale;
Publish a magazine or newspaper
Issue
Circulate or distribute or equip with;
Issue a new uniform to the children
Supply blankets for the beds
Issue
Bring out an official document (such as a warrant)
Issue
Come out of;
Water issued from the hole in the wall
The words seemed to come out by themselves
Issue
Make out and issue;
Write out a check
Cut a ticket
Please make the check out to me
Common Curiosities
How can understanding matters help in resolving issues?
Understanding the broader matter provides context for the issues, helping to identify root causes and potential solutions more effectively.
Can a matter become an issue?
Yes, a matter can give rise to issues if problems or disputes emerge that are related to the original topic of consideration.
How should one approach an issue within a matter?
Approaching an issue involves identifying the problem, understanding its context within the broader matter, and implementing solutions or resolutions.
Is it possible for a matter to have no issues?
Yes, it is possible for matters to be purely informational or conceptual without giving rise to specific problems or disputes.
Are all issues negative?
While issues imply challenges or problems that need resolution, addressing them effectively can lead to positive outcomes and improvements.
What is the difference between a matter and an issue?
A matter is a neutral term for any subject or situation under consideration, while an issue specifically refers to a problem or dispute within a matter that requires resolution.
What role does discussion play in addressing matters and issues?
Discussion is crucial for exploring matters comprehensively and for identifying, understanding, and resolving issues through collective insights and decision-making.
How do professionals differentiate between matters and issues in practice?
Professionals use the term "matter" to refer to the general subject of their work or consideration and "issue" to denote specific challenges or problems that arise and need attention.
Can the resolution of an issue affect the broader matter?
Yes, resolving an issue can have significant implications for the broader matter, potentially altering approaches, perceptions, or outcomes related to the original subject.
What strategies are effective in resolving issues?
Effective strategies include clear communication, comprehensive analysis, collaborative problem-solving, and the implementation of well-considered solutions.
What impact does resolving an issue have on stakeholders?
Resolving an issue positively affects stakeholders by addressing their concerns, improving outcomes, and often enhancing satisfaction and trust among involved parties.
How does cultural context influence the perception of matters and issues?
Cultural context can shape what is considered a matter of interest or importance and influence the perception of what constitutes an issue, affecting approaches to discussion and resolution.
How can one identify an issue within a matter?
Identifying an issue requires a thorough understanding of the matter, attentive observation of emerging problems, and recognition of points of contention or dispute.
How important is prioritizing issues within a matter?
Prioritizing issues is critical for effective problem-solving, ensuring that the most significant or urgent problems are addressed promptly to prevent further complications.
Why is it important to differentiate between matters and issues?
Differentiating helps to organize thoughts, prioritize actions, and apply appropriate strategies for general exploration or problem-solving.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
