ENGLISH
REFERENCE

no matter

idiom.
B2 Upper Intermediate Oxford

idiom. you use this to say that something is true or will happen regardless of the situation or person involved.

idiom. a conjunctional idiom used to introduce a concessive clause, indicating that the following information does not change the main fact.


SIMPLE

I will help you no matter what happens.

CONTEXTUAL

No matter how hard he tries, he cannot seem to master the piano.

COMPLEX

The law must be applied equally to all citizens, no matter their social standing or political influence.

Usage

usually followed by a question word like 'what', 'how', 'who', or 'where'.

Teaching tip

teach this as a more flexible and common alternative to 'regardless of'; it is particularly useful for introducing conditional clauses that don't affect the outcome.

Pitfall

No matter you are tired, you must go.No matter how tired you are, you must go.the phrase requires a question word like 'how' or 'what' when followed by an adjective or a clause.

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