What's the Matter: Understanding This Essential English Grammar Expression

A Comprehensive Guide to Usage, Structure, and Grammatical Applications

📚 Table of Contents

• 1. Introduction to "What's the Matter"
• 2. Grammatical Structure and Components
• 3. Usage Contexts and Applications
• 4. Common Variations and Alternatives
• 5. Formal vs. Informal Usage
• 6. Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
• 7. Cultural and Regional Considerations
• 8. Teaching and Learning Strategies
• 9. Conclusion

1. Introduction to "What's the Matter"

The phrase "What's the matter" stands as one of the most frequently used interrogative expressions in English, serving as a cornerstone of everyday communication. This seemingly simple question carries significant grammatical weight and demonstrates several important principles of English syntax and pragmatics.

At its core, "What's the matter" functions as an inquiry about problems, concerns, or issues affecting a person or situation. However, its grammatical construction reveals fascinating insights into how English handles contractions, question formation, and idiomatic expressions.

Basic Usage Example:

Speaker A: "You look upset."
Speaker B: "What's the matter with John? He seems really worried."

2. Grammatical Structure and Components

2.1 Contraction Analysis

The phrase "What's the matter" contains a fundamental grammatical element: the contraction. "What's" represents the contracted form of "What is," demonstrating how English efficiently combines the interrogative pronoun "what" with the copular verb "is."

Grammar Rule:

What + is = What's (contraction formation)

This follows the standard English pattern of contracting the copular verb "be" with interrogative words.

2.2 Syntactic Structure

The complete phrase follows this grammatical pattern:

Component	Grammatical Function	Example
What	Interrogative pronoun	What (is the problem?)
's (is)	Copular verb (contracted)	What is (the issue?)
the matter	Noun phrase (subject complement)	the matter (the problem/issue)

2.3 Question Formation Principles

This expression demonstrates the English principle of wh-question formation, where the interrogative word moves to the front of the sentence, followed by auxiliary or copular verb inversion.

3. Usage Contexts and Applications

3.1 Expressing Concern

The primary function of "What's the matter" involves expressing genuine concern for someone's wellbeing or situation. This usage demonstrates the pragmatic function of language in social interaction.

Concern Expression Examples:

• "What's the matter? You've been quiet all evening."
• "What's the matter with your car? It's making strange noises."
• "What's the matter, honey? You look troubled."

3.2 Problem Identification

In professional and academic contexts, this phrase serves to identify specific issues or problems requiring attention or resolution.

3.3 Emotional Support

The expression often functions as an opening for providing emotional support, demonstrating how grammar serves social and psychological functions beyond mere information exchange.

4. Common Variations and Alternatives

4.1 Grammatical Variations

English offers several grammatically equivalent alternatives to "What's the matter," each with subtle differences in register and formality:

Variation	Formality Level	Usage Context
What is the matter?	Formal	Written communication, formal speech
What's wrong?	Informal	Casual conversation
What's the problem?	Neutral	General usage
What's up?	Very informal	Close relationships, casual settings

4.2 Prepositional Variations

The phrase can be modified with prepositions to specify the target of inquiry:

• "What's the matter with you?"
• "What's the matter with this computer?"
• "What's the matter about the meeting?"

5. Formal vs. Informal Usage

5.1 Register Considerations

Understanding when to use contracted versus full forms represents a crucial aspect of English grammar competency. The choice between "What's the matter" and "What is the matter" depends on several contextual factors.

Formality Guidelines:

Formal contexts: Use "What is the matter" in academic writing, professional correspondence, and formal presentations.

Informal contexts: Use "What's the matter" in casual conversation, personal communication, and everyday interactions.

5.2 Written vs. Spoken English

The contraction "What's the matter" appears more frequently in spoken English and informal writing, while the full form "What is the matter" maintains preference in formal written contexts.

6. Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

6.1 Pronunciation Errors

Non-native speakers often struggle with the contraction's pronunciation. The correct pronunciation involves linking the /ts/ sound of "What's" smoothly with the following word.

Pronunciation Guide:

Correct: /wʌts ðə ˈmætər/
Common Error: Pronouncing "What's" as two separate words

6.2 Grammatical Mistakes

Several common grammatical errors occur with this expression:

• Incorrect: "What's matter?"
Correct: "What's the matter?"

• Incorrect: "What's the matters?"
Correct: "What's the matter?"

6.3 Contextual Misuse

Using this phrase inappropriately in formal academic or professional writing can create register mismatches that affect communication effectiveness.

7. Cultural and Regional Considerations

7.1 Cultural Sensitivity

The phrase "What's the matter" carries cultural implications about expressing concern and offering help. In some cultures, direct inquiry about personal problems might be considered intrusive, while in others, it demonstrates care and friendship.

7.2 Regional Variations

Different English-speaking regions may prefer alternative expressions:

• British English: Often uses "What's wrong?" or "What's up?"
• American English: Commonly employs "What's the matter?" and "What's wrong?"
• Australian English: May use "What's going on?" more frequently

7.3 Generational Differences

Younger speakers might prefer more casual alternatives like "What's up?" or "Everything okay?" while older generations may maintain traditional usage patterns.

8. Teaching and Learning Strategies

8.1 Pedagogical Approaches

Teaching "What's the matter" effectively requires addressing multiple grammatical concepts simultaneously:

Teaching Sequence:

1. Introduce contraction formation rules
2. Practice question formation patterns
3. Explore contextual usage
4. Compare formal and informal registers
5. Practice pronunciation and intonation

8.2 Common Learning Challenges

Students often face difficulties with:

• Understanding when contractions are appropriate
• Mastering the pronunciation of contracted forms
• Recognizing contextual appropriateness
• Distinguishing between similar expressions

8.3 Practice Activities

Effective learning activities include role-playing scenarios, dialogue completion exercises, and contextual usage practice that helps students understand both grammatical structure and pragmatic function.

9. Conclusion

The expression "What's the matter" exemplifies how seemingly simple phrases in English contain complex grammatical structures and cultural meanings. Its analysis reveals important principles of contraction formation, question structure, register variation, and pragmatic function.

For English learners, mastering this expression involves understanding not only its grammatical components but also its appropriate usage contexts, cultural implications, and regional variations. The phrase serves as an excellent example of how grammar and social function intersect in natural language use.

As English continues to evolve, expressions like "What's the matter" remain essential components of effective communication, demonstrating the enduring importance of understanding both structural and functional aspects of language. Whether used in formal academic discourse or casual conversation, this phrase continues to serve as a vital tool for expressing concern, identifying problems, and maintaining social connections through language.