ENGLISH
REFERENCE

for that matter

fixed phr..
B2 Upper Intermediate Oxford

fixed phr.. you use this to add more information that is also true or even more important than what you just said.

fixed phr.. a discourse marker used to indicate that a previous statement applies equally, or even more forcefully, to a second related point.


SIMPLE

I don't like coffee, or tea for that matter.

CONTEXTUAL

He doesn't have a car, or a driver's license for that matter, so he always takes the bus.

COMPLEX

The company lacks the necessary capital to expand, or the strategic vision for that matter, to compete in the global market.

Usage

usually appears at the end of a sentence or clause after a negative statement.

Teaching tip

teach this alongside 'as well' or 'either' but emphasize that 'for that matter' adds a sense of 'and what's more' to the second item.

Pitfall

I don't like him, for this matter.I don't like him, for that matter.the phrase is fixed with the demonstrative 'that' and cannot be changed to 'this'.

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