[ti:What's the Matter] [ar:Jonathan Evans & Anna Matteo] [al:Words and Their Stories] [by:www.51voa.com] [00:00.00]Now, the VOA Learning English program, Words and Their Stories. [00:10.77]The English language has a number of hard-working words. [00:15.79]People use these words in many different ways [00:19.67]and in many different expressions. [00:22.91]One such example is the word matter. [00:26.85]As a matter of fact, [00:29.19]matter can mean just about anything. [00:32.17]When talking about science, [00:34.66]matter is the material or substance that things are made of. [00:39.60]In fact, matter could be one of the most useful words [00:44.87]in the English language. [00:46.78]But that is just a matter of opinion. [00:50.51]Actually, it is more than that. [00:54.04]Matter is one of those words that matter a lot. [00:59.02]Let us take a minute [01:01.06]and really get to the heart of the matter ¨C [01:03.60]in other words, let's get to the most important part. [01:07.69]Or it could be what we call a matter of principle. [01:12.46]Let's say someone claims that you owe them $50. [01:18.00]But you don't. [01:20.09]A friend might say, "Well, you could pay him the $50. [01:25.92]It's not that much money. [01:28.02]Then you won't have to hear him complain anymore. [01:31.86]But if you do not owe him the money, [01:35.05]do not pay him the money. [01:38.23]It's a matter of principle." [01:40.37]Your friend raises a good point. [01:43.60]It's not the amount of money that is important. [01:46.79]It's a matter of principle. [01:49.28]Now, let us get back to two more scientific meanings of matter. [01:55.31]Scientists say that dark matter makes up most of our universe. [02:01.78]And when people talk about gray matter, [02:05.61]they are talking about the brain. [02:08.76]There is another way to use the word matter. [02:13.00]But be careful with your choice of words. [02:16.09]If you ask someone "What's the matter?" [02:19.62]it shows you are concerned about the other person. [02:24.20]You usually ask someone "What's the matter?" [02:28.39]if the person looks angry or worried. [02:32.37]But saying, "What's the matter with you?" [02:35.98]has a completely different meaning. [02:38.63]And it usually sounds rude or offensive. [02:42.88]In fact, when you say, "What's the matter with you?" [02:47.31]you are not really asking what is wrong with the person. [02:52.04]You are suggesting [02:54.08]that the individual did something wrong or stupid. [02:59.16]So be careful with that one! [03:01.55]Another expression that could sound rude is to say, [03:05.74]"It doesn't matter to me." [03:07.48]Here, it depends on the context, [03:11.32]or situation, and how you say it. [03:14.06]Here are two examples. [03:17.24]Let's say you tell someone [03:20.58]that a friend just got a big raise at work [03:25.26]and will be making a lot more money. [03:28.29]That person answers with, [03:31.08]"It doesn't matter to me." [03:33.47]Here, it means he or she does not care. [03:38.11]And it sounds rude. [03:40.84]But saying, "Oh, you pick where we eat dinner. [03:45.87]It doesn't matter to me." does not sound rude or offensive. [03:50.46]In this context and tone of voice, [03:53.74]"it doesn't matter" shows you are easy-going [03:57.53]and are willing to do what the other person wants. [04:00.82]No matter how you slice it ... [04:03.90]no matter how you look at it ... [04:06.40]no matter what you say ... [04:08.94]matter is a very hard-working word. [04:12.42]Now, it is time to take matters into your own hands. [04:17.15]Try using these expressions with the word matter. [04:21.03]It's only a matter of time [04:23.83]before you will become an expert on the use of matter. [04:28.36]And as for this program ... this matter is closed. [04:32.74]You can find more Words and Their Stories on our website, [04:37.76]51voa.com. I'm Jonathan Evans. [04:43.89]And I'm Anna Matteo. [04:46.37]Go to our website and practice using these matter expressions [04:51.66]in the comment section. [04:53.25]Or simply practice by saying what matters most to you.