English learners often get confused when two prepositions seem to fit the same sentence. One common example is on this matter or in this matter. Both expressions can look correct because on and in are often used with similar nouns. However, they do not always carry the same meaning or sound equally natural On This Matter or In This Matter.
The good news is that this difference is not as difficult as it first appears. The main thing to understand is that “matter” has several meanings, and the best preposition can depend on how the word is being used.On This Matter or In This Matter.
For example, when you are talking about a particular subject, issue, or question, “on this matter” is usually the more natural choice. It is common in both everyday and formal English.
You may also hear “in this matter.” This expression is grammatical, but it often has a slightly different focus. It can mean “in this situation,” “in this issue,” or “concerning this matter,” especially when talking about someone’s role, decision, help, or involvement.
Understanding this small difference can make your English sound much more natural. It can also help you write better emails, messages, school assignments, reports, and workplace communication.On This Matter or In This Matter.
By the end of this guide, you will know when to choose on this matter or in this matter, how the two expressions differ, which one sounds more natural in common situations, and how native speakers use them.On This Matter or In This Matter.
What Does “On This Matter” Mean?
“On this matter” means about this subject, issue, question, or problem. We use it when we want to talk about a particular topic or point.
The word “matter” here means a subject that needs attention or discussion. The preposition “on” shows the topic being discussed.
For example:
- We need more information on this matter.
- I would like your opinion on this matter.
- She has not made a decision on this matter.
- The manager will speak on this matter tomorrow.
- Do you have any comments on this matter?
- The teacher gave us some advice on this matter.
- I have nothing more to say on this matter.
- The committee is working on this matter.
Notice that “on” works naturally when the meaning is connected to a topic, issue, or subject.On This Matter or In This Matter.
A useful pattern is:
verb/noun + on + matter
For example, we can say:
an opinion on this matter
information on this matter
a decision on this matter
comments on this matter
The expression is especially common in formal English. You may see it in business emails, official notices, meetings, news reports, and legal or administrative writing.On This Matter or In This Matter.
For instance, a manager might say:
“We will provide further information on this matter next week.”
Here, “on this matter” simply means “about this issue.”
Another person might say:
“I have already given my opinion on this matter.”
The speaker is saying that they have already shared their opinion about the issue.On This Matter or In This Matter.
One common learner mistake is thinking that “on” must be used only for physical things, such as “on the table” or “on the wall.” That is not true. On is also widely used for topics.On This Matter or In This Matter.
We say:
- a book on history
- a lecture on grammar
- information on health
- a discussion on education
- an opinion on the matter
So, when matter means a topic or issue, “on this matter” is often the clearest choice.
What Does “In This Matter” Mean?
“In this matter” can also be correct, but it usually focuses more on a situation, case, decision, or involvement than simply on the topic itself.On This Matter or In This Matter.
It can often be understood as:
“in this situation”
“in this issue”
“concerning this case”
For example:
- I need your help in this matter.
- He has no experience in this matter.
- She played an important role in this matter.
- We need to be careful in this matter.
- The lawyer advised us in this matter.
- I trust your judgment in this matter.
- He refused to interfere in this matter.
- The company has taken action in this matter.On This Matter or In This Matter.
In these examples, the speaker is not simply describing a topic. Instead, the speaker is talking about what someone does, thinks, decides, or experiences in a particular situation.On This Matter or In This Matter.
Compare these two sentences:
I need more information on this matter.
This means I need more information about the issue.
Now look at:
I need your help in this matter.
This means I need your help with this situation or problem.On This Matter or In This Matter.
The difference is small, but it is useful.
“In this matter” can sound more formal than everyday alternatives such as “with this” or “about this.” It is often found in professional, legal, official, or serious conversations.
For example:
“I would appreciate your assistance in this matter.”
This sounds formal and polite.
In casual speech, someone might simply say:
“I need your help with this.”
Both communicate a similar idea, but the style is different.
Another important point is that “in this matter” is not automatically wrong just because “on this matter” is more common in certain sentences. The correct choice depends on the relationship between the verb or noun and the word matter.On This Matter or In This Matter.
If you are discussing information, opinions, comments, or a topic, on is often natural.On This Matter or In This Matter.
If you are talking about someone’s help, involvement, judgment, action, or conduct within a situation, in can be a good choice.On This Matter or In This Matter.
Difference Between “On This Matter” and “In This Matter”
The main difference becomes easier when you focus on the idea behind the sentence.On This Matter or In This Matter.
“On this matter” usually points to the subject or issue being discussed.On This Matter or In This Matter.
“In this matter” often points to a situation or case in which someone is involved.
| Expression | Main idea | Common use | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| On this matter | About this issue | opinions, information, comments, discussions | I need your opinion on this matter. |
| In this matter | In this situation/case | help, action, involvement, judgment | I need your help in this matter. |
Think about the question each expression answers.On This Matter or In This Matter.
On this matter often answers:
“About what?”
Example:
We need more information on this matter.On This Matter or In This Matter.
About what?
This matter.
In this matter often answers:
“In what situation?”
Example:
She helped me in this matter.
In what situation?
This matter or case.
The difference is not always sharp. There are situations where both expressions may be grammatically possible, but one may sound more natural depending on the exact sentence.
For example:
He gave his opinion on this matter.
This is very natural because an opinion is normally on/about a subject.
But:
He helped us in this matter.
This is natural because the help happened in a particular situation or case.
Another useful comparison is:
We need to discuss this matter.
Here, there is no preposition because “discuss” takes a direct object.On This Matter or In This Matter.
We do not normally say:
We need to discuss about this matter.
That is a different issue, but it shows why learners should learn the whole expression rather than translating directly from another language.On This Matter or In This Matter.
The safest approach is to learn common word combinations.
For example:
opinion on a matter
information on a matter
comments on a matter
decision on a matter
but:
help in a matter
assistance in a matter
involvement in a matter
action in a matter
These patterns can help you choose the right preposition more naturally.
Grammar Rules You Must Remember
1. Use “on” when the matter is a topic
When you mean “about this issue”, on is usually the best choice.On This Matter or In This Matter.
Example:
The report contains important information on this matter.
The information is about the issue.
Another example:
What is your opinion on this matter?
The person is asking for an opinion about the issue.
2. Use “in” when you mean a situation or case
When you are thinking about a particular situation in which someone is acting or becoming involved, in can be appropriate.On This Matter or In This Matter.
Example:
I need your assistance in this matter.
The speaker needs help with this situation.
Another example:
She had no involvement in this matter.
The meaning is that she was not involved in the situation or case.On This Matter or In This Matter.
3. Learn the preposition with common nouns
English learners often try to choose a preposition by looking only at the word matter. A better method is to look at the word before it.On This Matter or In This Matter.
Some nouns commonly go with on:
- opinion on
- information on
- comments on
- advice on
- report on
Some words commonly work with in:
- involvement in
- participation in
- assistance in
- experience in
- role in
For example:
She has experience in this matter.
This focuses on her experience regarding the situation.
But:
She gave her opinion on this matter.
This focuses on the subject she is discussing.
4. Do not assume one preposition always works
English prepositions are not mathematical formulas. A single noun can appear with different prepositions depending on meaning.
That is why you should not memorize a rule such as:
“Matter always takes on.”
That would be incorrect.
Likewise, saying:
“Matter always takes in.”
would also be wrong.
Instead, understand the meaning and learn common combinations.
Common Mistakes Students Make
Mistake 1: Using “in” for every situation
Some learners use in because they translate the expression directly from their first language.
For example:
I want to know your opinion in this matter.
This sentence can be understood, but “your opinion on this matter” is generally more natural when asking about someone’s view of an issue.
Better:
I want to know your opinion on this matter.
The easy tip is to remember:
Opinions are usually “on” a subject.
Mistake 2: Using “on” with every verb
The opposite mistake also happens.
A learner may say:
I need your help on this matter.
This can sometimes be heard, but when the meaning is help with a situation, “help in this matter” is a more traditional formal expression.
Even more naturally in everyday English, you could say:
I need your help with this.
The important point is to consider what the sentence is trying to express.
Mistake 3: Thinking “in this matter” is always wrong
This is a very common misunderstanding.
Some learners are taught that “on this matter” is correct and then assume “in this matter” is incorrect.
That is not true.
“In this matter” is a valid English expression.
For example:
We appreciate your assistance in this matter.
This is grammatical and natural, especially in formal writing.
The two expressions simply have different common uses.
Mistake 4: Replacing “on” with “about” everywhere
Because “on this matter” often means “about this matter,” learners may think the two are always interchangeable.
Sometimes they are close:
We need information on this matter.
We need information about this matter.
Both can work.
However, English has preferred word combinations. “Information on” is especially common in formal writing.
Natural English is not only about grammar. It is also about which word combinations sound normal together.
Easy Trick to Remember the Difference
Here is a simple classroom trick.
Think of ON as pointing to a topic.
If you can replace the expression with “about this issue,” try on.
For example:
I have a question on this matter.
Think:
I have a question about this issue.
So on makes sense.
Now think of IN as being inside a situation.
If the sentence is about someone’s help, role, action, involvement, or judgment within a particular situation, in may work well.
For example:
We need your help in this matter.
Imagine the person is becoming involved in the situation.
This simple picture can help:
ON → topic
IN → situation
It is not a perfect rule for every English sentence, but it is a very useful starting point for learners.
Another helpful trick is to learn expressions as complete chunks rather than memorizing individual prepositions.
Do not only memorize:
matter = on/in
Instead, remember:
opinion on a matter
information on a matter
help in a matter
involvement in a matter
This will make your English more natural over time.
Daily Life Examples
10 Real-Life Spoken English Examples
Here are some examples that you may hear in school, work, business, or everyday conversations.
1.
I need your opinion on this matter before I make a decision.
The speaker wants someone’s view about an issue.
2.
Do you have any information on this matter?
The speaker wants facts or details about the issue.
3.
We should talk on this matter before the meeting.
Here, the speaker means discussing the issue. In everyday English, “about this matter” or simply “about this” may sound more natural.
4.
I would like to hear your comments on this matter.
The speaker wants someone’s thoughts about the issue.
5.
Thank you for your help in this matter.
The speaker is thanking someone for helping with a particular situation.
6.
We need professional assistance in this matter.
The focus is on getting help with the situation.
7.
She has a lot of experience in this matter.
The expression refers to experience connected with the situation or subject.
8.
He played an important role in this matter.
The focus is on his involvement in the situation.
9.
The manager has not commented on this matter yet.
The manager has not made a statement about the issue.
10.
I trust your judgment in this matter.
The speaker trusts the person’s decision or judgment regarding the situation.
These examples show why context matters. You cannot choose the preposition by looking only at matter.
Practice Section
Choose the Correct Option
Choose on or in to complete each sentence.
1. What is your opinion ___ this matter?
2. We appreciate your assistance ___ this matter.
3. The manager has not commented ___ this matter.
4. She played an important role ___ this matter.
5. Do you have any information ___ this matter?
Answers
1. on
What is your opinion on this matter?
An opinion is usually given on/about a topic.
2. in
We appreciate your assistance in this matter.
The assistance is connected with a particular situation.
3. on
The manager has not commented on this matter.
A person comments on a subject or issue.
4. in
She played an important role in this matter.
A role is something someone has in a situation.
5. on
Do you have any information on this matter?
The information is about the issue.
A useful learning habit is to say these sentences aloud. Reading them is helpful, but hearing yourself use the expressions can make the difference easier to remember.
FAQs
What is the difference between “on this matter” and “in this matter”?
On this matter usually means about this issue or subject. In this matter often means in this situation or case. The correct choice depends on the word being used with matter and the meaning you want to express.
Is “on this matter” grammatically correct?
Yes. “On this matter” is completely correct and very common, especially when talking about opinions, information, comments, decisions, or discussions concerning an issue. It can sound formal but is also normal in many everyday situations.
Is “in this matter” grammatically correct?
Yes. “In this matter” is also grammatically correct. It is often used when talking about someone’s help, role, involvement, judgment, or action in a particular situation. It is especially common in formal English.
Which is more common: “on this matter” or “in this matter”?
There is no single answer for every sentence. “On this matter” is very common when the meaning is about the issue. “In this matter” is common when the meaning is connected to a particular situation or case.
Can I use “on this matter” in a question?
Yes. You can easily use it in questions.
For example:
“What is your opinion on this matter?”
You can also ask:
“Do you have any information on this matter?”
These questions are grammatical and natural.
Is “in this matter” formal or informal?
“In this matter” often sounds formal. You may see it in business emails, official letters, legal writing, and professional communication. In casual conversation, speakers often choose simpler phrases such as “with this,” “about this,” or “in this situation.”
Conclusion
The difference between on this matter or in this matter becomes much easier when you focus on meaning rather than trying to memorize one strict rule.
Use “on this matter” when you are mainly talking about a topic, issue, or subject. It commonly appears with words such as opinion, information, comments, advice, and report.
Use “in this matter” when you are focusing more on a situation, case, involvement, action, or role. It commonly appears with words such as help, assistance, involvement, experience, and role.
Remember the simple idea:
ON = topic
IN = situation
This is not a rule that solves every possible sentence, but it gives you a strong starting point.
Do not worry if the difference feels small at first. English prepositions can take time to learn because native speakers use many fixed combinations. The best way to improve is to read, listen, and practice complete phrases.
With regular practice, choosing between on this matter or in this matter will become much more natural. When in doubt, ask yourself one simple question: Am I talking about the issue, or am I talking about involvement in the situation?
Hi, I’m Isabella Foster, an English language writer passionate about making grammar, vocabulary, and communication skills easy to understand. At EnglishVistor, I create clear, practical, and engaging learning resources to help learners improve their English with confidence.
