一、matter作可数名词,意为"事情；问题；情况".作不可数名词,意为"物质；材料；东西".例如：
Let's leave that for the moment.We have more important matters to think about.
让我们先把那事搁一边吧.我们还有更重要的事情需要考虑呢.
The universe is made up of matter.宇宙是由物质组成的.
I have nothing to do now.Could you offer me some reading matter?
我现在无事可做.你能给我点儿可读的东西吗?
二、matter作动词,意为"有关系；要紧".通常用于否定句和疑问句,句中常常含有what,who,where,if等词,一般以it作主语.例如：
It doesn't matter if I miss the train,because there's another later.
我要是误了这趟火车也不要紧,因为晚些时候还有一趟车呢.
Does it matter a great deal to her whether they come or not?
他们是否来,这与她有很大关系吗?
三、由matter构成的常用短语.
1.no matter
①不要紧；无关紧要.此短语可单独用,也可接that,whether引导的从句.例如：
-I can't repair the mobile phone.
我不会修手机.
-No matter.I'll do it myself.
没关系.我自己来.
There is no matter whether he has worked abroad.
他有没有在国外工作过都没关系.
②no matter+特殊疑问词；意为"无论.",用来引导状语从句.例如：
No matter where you go,please let me know.无论你去哪里,请告诉我一声.
2.the matter意为"有问题；出毛病；麻烦事",常常同不定代词anything,something,nothing等连用,意为"有点儿什么问题"或"没有什么问题"等.例如：
-Is there anything the matter?
有什么问题吗?
-Of course,there's something the matter.
当然,有问题.
-I heard he fell off the truck.Anything the matter with him at present?
我听说他从卡车上摔下来了.他现在怎么样了?
-Nothing the matter.Thank you.
没事了.
3.as a matter of fact
事实上(用来加强语气).例如：
As a matter of fact,I know nothing about the matter.
事实上,我对此事一无所知.
4.for that matter
都一样（用于指出所说的两件事物中,后说的与先说的性质一样）.例如：
Don't talk like that to the elder,or to anyone else for that matter.
不要跟长辈那样说话,其实跟谁也不要那样.
5.(be) a matter of (doing) sth.
取决于某事.例如：
Success in business is simply a matter of knowing when to take a chance.
商业上的成功就在于懂得对时机的把握
