Guide 199 / 200 4 swaps Formal register
Professional words for “matter”
Four verbs that say why something matters.
i · When it mattersTwo lines, no filler
"Matter" is fine but doesn’t explain. "Count" is informal; "weigh" is for evaluation; "bear on" is formal and relational; "signify" implies it’s a sign of something bigger.
ii · The swaps4 ways
- 01Count neutral
informal "be important"
Every basis point counts at this margin.
- 02Weigh neutral
be a factor in judgment
Performance during incidents weighs heavily.
- 03Bear on formal
have relevance to
This finding bears on the retention strategy.
- 04Signify formal
be a sign of something larger
A drop here signifies deeper operational issues.