As a matter of fact means actually, in fact. It corrects someone's guess: 'You cancelled the trip?' 'As a matter of fact, we booked the tickets this morning.' Or it tops your own answer with a stronger fact: I know that café. As a matter of fact, I worked there. It sounds weightier than a plain actually.
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As a matter of fact, + statement
- I do know that café. As a matter of fact, I worked there for a summer.
- As a matter of fact, the smaller box holds more than the tall one.
- We haven't cancelled the trip. As a matter of fact, we booked the tickets this morning.
What changed
First versionAs matter of fact, this is my second visit.
RevisionAs a matter of fact, this is my second visit.
In quick speech the little a almost disappears, so it often goes missing in writing too: as matter of fact. But the expression is fixed, and without the article it sounds broken. With a back in place, the phrase is whole. At the start of a sentence, a comma follows it.
Actually and in fact make the same correction more simply: Actually, I worked there. As a matter of fact adds weight and emphasis. Matter-of-fact with hyphens is an adjective meaning calm and unemotional: a matter-of-fact reply is a plain, dry answer.
Your turn
Complete the fixed expression: As a matter ___ fact, I have already spoken to the owner.
Show the answer
of — The fixed expression is as a matter of fact, always with of. About can feel right because we talk about facts, but it never goes here.
A friend is sure you can't cook. Correct them in one sentence with as a matter of fact.
As a matter of fact, I cook dinner for the whole family every Sunday.
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