Fill in the blank (proverb about actions vs. words) “It is not what you say that ______ but what you do.” Choose the most appropriate word to complete the sentence.

Given data

• A contrast is drawn between saying and doing.

Concept/Approach
The standard collocation is “what matters,” meaning “what is important.” The proverb emphasizes deeds over words.

Option analysis
matters — correct; idiomatic and precise.counts — close in meaning, but “what matters” is the commoner fixed phrase here.speaks / tells — do not fit semantically or idiomatically in this structure.

Common pitfalls
Avoid “speaks,” as in “actions speak,” which is a different idiom.

Final Answer
matters