What Does "for that matter" Mean?
- Grammatical function: It is a parenthetical connective expression used for addition and emphasis. It indicates that a previous statement applies equally, or even more strongly, to a new subject or situation.
- Typical sentence position: Most commonly found in the final position, though it frequently appears in the medial position (set off by commas) or at the start of a supplementary fragment.
- Register: It is neutral to slightly informal, making it suitable for journalism, essays, and conversation, though it is less common in highly technical or legal writing.
How to Use It
- Syntactic patterns: It usually follows a noun, a phrase, or a clause that expands upon a previous point. It often follows the conjunctions "or," "and," or "nor."
- Punctuation rules: When used in the middle of a sentence, it should be enclosed in commas. At the end of a sentence, it is preceded by a comma. If it appears in a short fragment, it is often set off by a comma after the subject.
- Grammatical flexibility: While it can start a supplementary fragment (e.g., "Or anyone else, for that matter."), it rarely begins a standalone, independent sentence without a preceding conjunction. It cannot be negated because the phrase itself is a fixed idiomatic unit.
- What sounds unnatural: Using it to express direct causality (e.g., "It rained; for that matter, I got wet") is incorrect. It should only be used to show that a new point is just as relevant as the last.
Real-World Examples
These examples are sourced from for that matter on Ludwig.guru.
"Or, for that matter, Microsoft?" — economist.com
"Or anyone else for that matter." — nytimes.com
"Nor does liberation theology, for that matter." — nytimes.com
"(So, for that matter, is mine)." — newyorker.com
"Or dessert, for that matter." — independent.co.uk
Similar Phrases and Alternatives
| Phrase |
Context |
| as well |
Neutral; a simple additive used at the end of a sentence. |
| furthermore |
Formal; used to add a new point in an argument. |
| in fact |
Emphatic; used to clarify or strengthen a previous statement. |
| besides |
Informal/Neutral; used to add an extra reason or factor. |
| moreover |
Formal; introduces information that supports the previous statement. |
Common Mistakes
- Wrong Position: Placing it before the subject it is supposed to emphasize (e.g., "For that matter him") instead of after (e.g., "Or him, for that matter").
- Missing Punctuation: Failing to use commas to set the phrase apart can make the sentence difficult to parse for the reader.
- Causality Confusion: Learners often confuse it with 'for that reason,' using it to express causality rather than to add an emphasizing related point.
Quick-Reference Summary
| Expression |
Function |
Register |
Typical Position |
| for that matter |
Addition/Emphasis |
Neutral |
Medial or Final |
FAQs
Can for that matter appear at the beginning of a sentence
The expression is rarely used to start a sentence in isolation. It usually appears in supplementary fragments beginning with "Or" or "And," or it is placed mid-clause or at the end of the sentence to emphasize a preceding point.
How does for that matter differ from as well
While as well simply adds information, for that matter adds a sense of emphasis or scale. It suggests that the new point is even more relevant or surprising than the first point mentioned.
Is it correct to use for that matter to show a result
No, this is a common error where learners confuse the expression with for that reason. You should use for that matter to add an emphasizing related point, not to express a causal relationship or consequence.